Based upon its expertise and review of existing studies, the USA Baseball Medical & Safety Advisory Committee makes the following recommendations for minimizing a pitcher's risk of future serious arm injury and maximizing his chance of success.

Coaches AND parents should listen and react appropriately to a youth pitcher when he/she complains about arm pain. A pitcher who complains or shows signs of arm pain during a game should be removed immediately from pitching. Parents should seek medical attention if pain is not relieved within four days or if the pain recurs immediately the next time the player pitches. League officials should inform parents about this consideration.

Pitch counts should be monitored and regulated in youth baseball. Recommended limits for youth pitchers are as follows:

9-10 year old pitchers
50 pitches/game; 75 pitches/week; 1000 pitches/season
11-12 year old pitchers
75 pitches/game; 100 pitches/week; 1000 pitches/season

Pitch count limits pertain to pitches thrown in games only. These limits do not include throws from other positions, instructional pitching during practice sessions, and throwing drills, which are important for the development of technique and strength. Backyard pitching practice after a pitched game is strongly discouraged. 

Pitchers should not throw breaking pitches (curveballs, sliders, etc.) in competition until their bones have matured (indicated by puberty) - typically about 13 years of age. In order to succeed, a youth pitcher should focus on good mechanics, a fast fastball, a good change-up, and good control.

Pitchers should develop proper mechanics as early as possible and include more year-round physical conditioning as their body develops.

A Pitcher should be prohibited from returning to the mound in a game once he/she has been removed as the pitcher.

Baseball players - especially pitchers - are discouraged from participating in showcases due to the risk of injury. The importance of "showcases" should be de-emphasized, and at the least, pitchers should be permitted time to appropriately prepare.

Baseball pitchers are discouraged from pitching for more than one team in a given season.

Baseball pitchers should compete in baseball no more than nine months in any given year, as periodization is needed to give the pitcher's body time to rest and recover. For at least three months a year, a baseball pitcher should not play any baseball, participate in throwing drills, or participate in other stressful overhead activities (javelin throwing, football quarterback, softball, competitive swimming, etc.).

As coaches, we're all responsible for maintaining the quality of our KN fields. We're all asked to prepare the fields before (home team) and after (visiting team) games. Take the time to make sure this is done right so our fields stay in the great shape they're in throughout the season.

A few reminders from the Maintenance Crew:

1. Home Plate — The first thing most batters to when they get into the batter's box is dig a hole. We need to fill in both batters' boxes as well as the catchers' box and pack them down after each game... especially the last game of the day.

2. All Bases — Kids slide into the base and create holes. Please pull dirt back into the holes with a rake after each game.

3. Pitcher's Mound — Please fill in hole in front of rubber and in the landing area.

4. Base Paths — Dirt is getting raked into grass. Pull the rake "away from" the grass not towards. This is how we end up with the ridges we do along the back of the infield. Keeping the groomer at a slow speed will also help keep that ridge down.

Along with those items, the bullpens are part of the field and should be taken care of accordingly. We also need to make sure we clean up the dugouts. Make the kids responsible for their own garbage.