Is Pitch Count Actually Protecting My Kid's Arm?
July 29, 2026 · 3 min read · Dr. Tom Grogan
Roughly one in four pitchers ages 9 to 12 report elbow pain while pitching. Pitch limits help — and so does not pitching year round.
A question we hear from baseball parents all the time: “My child's arm hurts after pitching — should we be worried?”
Often, yes. Studies show roughly one in four pitchers ages 9 to 12 report elbow pain while pitching. Tommy John surgery, once a professional athlete's injury, is now increasingly common in teenagers.
What Actually Helps
- Adhering to pitch count limits and required rest days between games does make a real difference.
- So does something that sounds counterintuitive: playing other positions or other sports, instead of specializing in pitching year round.
- Athletes who diversify tend to see lower injury rates than those who focus on one throwing-heavy position year round.
Takeaway
Arm pain in a young pitcher is never just “part of the game.” It's worth resting and getting checked, before a small issue becomes a season — or a surgery.
Protecting the arm now is what keeps a kid pitching later.
Author
Dr. Tom Grogan
Co-Founder & President, Ortho Care on Demand
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