Expert: John McInnis - 8/30/2006

Question
My son is 10 years old and has been pitching this summer. He has been pitching over his shoulder and does o.k. but out in the yard the other day he started pitching side armed and he seemed more accurate and faster. Is this bad for his arm? Thanks Joe.

Answer
Hi Joe,

side action is even more unnatural then throwing thru the shoulder.  It takes a lot of energy to throw this style and it does not last long.  Perhaps when the kids are younger, this may not apply but as they get older and the demand for speed increases, the injuries can mount.

There are very few sidearm pitchers, sometimes called submarine pitchers, in older leagues.  It may be expedient to use this style of pitching now, but it may be a problem later.  Most pitching coaches will refuse a sidearm pitcher for fear of injuries and the inability to last more than a few innings.  

I think it would be better to learn the right mechanics of pitching now instead of focusing on a pitching style that is not understood or support by most other coaches.

Best of luck,

JohnMc

Read this for more info:

http://www.stevenellis.com/steven_ellis_the_complete/2006/08/would_you_chang.htm...