Expert: George W. Case III - 8/25/2010

Question
I was taught (by a retired major league pitcher) when I was a young pitcher,age 8-14 or so to never try to throw a curve, slider or any other breaking pitch until I was older because of possible developmental damage to my arm as I was growing up.  Only throw fastballs and off speed pitches.  My question is this.  With all the breaking pitches that little league pitchers are throwing, are their arms ruined by the time they become adults and who if any little league world series pitchers went on to pitch in the major league?

Answer
As the son of a former major league ballplayer, I can tell you that the vast majority of coaches (who have had pitching experience) will tell youngsters NOT to throw curves balls at a very early age - definitely does put undue strain on young arms - as a former pitcher myself, i followed my father's advice and NEVER had arm trouble - one of my teammates in high school however started throwing curves balls in Little league and by the time he was 18 and had signed a professional contract, his arm lasted one year before problems started and his professional baseball career came to an abrupt end!

Unfortunately, the win at any cost mentality has created coaches who encourage youngsters to throw curves balls in Little League because young hitters cannot handle curve balls - now as to any pitchers who pitched in Little League and went on to pitch in the major leagues - I'm certain there are many however I do not know the names and I would guess that possibly some threw curves balls early however if they had arm trouble from an early age (and many pitchers have arm trouble) curve balls might be to blame.

The advice to young pitchers to NOT throw curve balls is sound advice!
Youngsters need to gain mastery of the strike zone and learn to change speeds and they can always learn how to throw a curve ball at a later age - throwing a curve ball can be taught - to have control and a fast ball with a good change up is all that a young pitcher needs!