what do you think of the whole "guys from the northeast aren't overworked" angle on arm preservation?
To be honest, I'm not familiar with any type of research or data on the subject. So any opinion I have, is total speculation. But in general, I buy it. Kids still throw, it's just in a much more controlled environment. You can throw pens and get work indoors. In the winters, you can have a strict regimen on how much throwing they're actually doing. So I think to an extent, it does limit the potential for overuse. That doesn't mean you're not getting in work though. When I was in college in the Midwest, our entire prep for the season was done indoors. You got ready for games ans building up pitch counts indoors.
Kids still have the ability to be overworked, with the wrong coach though. I don't know the full extent of their travel ball seasons as they grow up, but when they're able to pitch in games and outdoors, you can still run up pitch counts or pitch with too little rest. If you pitch for 3 straight days, or hit 100 pitched and come back to soon, or pitch on multiple teams .... it can still happen. The possibility isn't completely eliminated.
My experience on the California side of things, obviously is ripe with overuse. Not that I am personally active, but I know many kids playing travel ball, and a good friend does private pitching lessons. Kids are pitching for multiple teams, trying to pitch every weekend, even when their main team has the weekend off. I'm seeing 10 year olds doing this. It's insane. I'm seeing 9/10 year olds(my sons age, and the level his best friends play at) with elbow problems already and trying to push through it. They're not working on throwing strikes, they're chasing velocity. My friend that does lessons has had kids come in on a Monday after pitching for two teams over the weekend, and say their arm is hanging. And he asks the parents why did you bring him in if he just pitched? They claim the kids need the work. So it's not just coaches that can push and overwork a kid. Some parents are part of the problem too.
I dont push my son in baseball. He enjoys it but just plays little league when it's baseball season. He's getting his experience but i dont want to be in those situations. He plays basketball and flag football as well. To me, there's no need to focus on one so early.
Anyway, long rant there lol. It's definitely a different beast in states with year round baseball. You have a bigger window for overuse and a bigger window of competition. In places where the weather dictates, you're shielded a bit and can more disciplined. But bad coaches and parents that push can find a way to be overworked in any region.
