I was watching the Little League World Series last night on ESPN as Maitland, Florida battled Davenport, Iowa and I found it upsetting to see Davenport's 12 year old pitcher throwing 137 pitches in 5 and 2/3 innings only to give up the game winning home-run to Dante Bichette, Jr (son of the former major leaguer). Why was a 12 year old throwing 137 pitches? This reminded me of the book I read by Will Carroll titled Saving the Pitcher. I think every baseball coach should be required to read it since it gives excellent advice on how to handle a baseball player's most valuable asset.
Harold Reynold's was one of the ESPN commentator and he was upset to see a pitcher go that many pitches at such a young age and I agree with him. Why waste a potential pitching arm and career by going too hard as a youngster? I think it is time to implement a pitch count for Little League baseball to help protect the arms of young pitchers. I think implementing an 80 to 100 pitch count would take the decision making out of the hands of the coaches similar to the players are doing what it takes to win at any expense. In this case it is at the expense of the future of a young pitcher.
