Keeping kids healthy

You can’t get better if you are hurt. 

Beyond that, no one likes to be injured. Kids play baseball because they love it. There comes a day for every player – from Knothole player to Hall of Famer – where they no longer get to play the game. Every moment a player can’t play is a lost moment. 

We believe – and will hold our coaches and staff accountable – in creating an environment that minimizes injury risk.

That starts with proper physical conditioning, strength and mobility.

But it is more than that.

The major difference between our organization and the vast majority of others is how we systematically develop our players. We provide structured offseason and preseason training programs. We provide structured practice/pregame warmup routines and recovery programs that are specifically designed and implemented based on the needs of our players from 9U through 18U. 

Not only are we developing skills with these efforts, but we are also preventing injury.

A major part of keeping players healthy is maintaining an appropriate roster size that allows teams to have a pitching staff that can compete without overusing arms.

In respect to catchers, it is important to have the ability to rest catchers when needed, and still be able to compete against other top teams. It is not ideal to catch the same catcher in back to back games on the same day, especially in inclement weather conditions.

Unfortunately, when some hear this all they think of is playing time. Instead, parents and coaches must understand how this is tremendously important for health and proper development. If a roster is managed properly by experienced coaches, playing time is never an issue.

In respect to pitch counts, there are multiple considerations, not just the total number of pitchers thrown. Coaches must first be aware of the capabilities of the pitcher. Coaches must ensure the pitcher is warmed up properly. Coaches must track the total number of pitches thrown in the inning, and the amount of rest between innings. Coaches must also be aware of the total number of pitches thrown in the game, and then ensure that pitcher is allowed to recover properly before being put out in the field to play defense or pitch again.

Coaches should make every effort possible to follow appropriate pitch count parameters based on a player’s age and physical development.