Little Leaguer’s Elbow and Shoulder: What Every Parent Should Know
Throwing a baseball or softball is one of the most natural joys of childhood. But too much throwing, too soon, or without enough rest can put kids at risk for injuries that doctors often call “Little Leaguer’s Elbow” or “Little Leaguer’s Shoulder.” These injuries happen because the bones and growth plates in kids’ arms are still developing. When there’s too much stress over time, pain and damage can occur. The good news is that with the right balance of training, rest, and awareness, many of these problems can be prevented.
Little Leaguer’s Elbow usually shows up as pain on the inside of the elbow. It comes from too much stress on the growth plate where muscles and ligaments attach. Kids may complain of soreness when pitching, throwing hard, or even just during warmups. Little Leaguer’s Shoulder happens when the growth plate at the top of the arm bone gets irritated or widened from repetitive throws. Children with this condition often feel pain in the shoulder when they throw, especially during the acceleration part of the motion. Both conditions can become more serious if ignored, leading to long-term issues with growth and performance.
The most important step is prevention. Pitch counts exist for a reason. Keeping track of how many pitches a child throws in games and practices, and making sure they take days off, helps protect their arms. Just as important is ensuring that kids don’t throw through pain. Pain is not normal and should never be brushed off as “just soreness.” Every season should include periods of rest away from throwing, giving the body time to heal. Kids also benefit from playing multiple sports rather than specializing in baseball or softball too early. Doing other activities allows different muscles and joints to get stronger while giving the elbow and shoulder a break.
Strength training should focus on the whole body, not just the arm. A powerful throw starts in the legs and core. When kids have strong hips, glutes, and abdominal muscles, they take pressure off their shoulders and elbows. Good flexibility and balance matter too, since stiffness or weakness in one part of the body often leads to overload somewhere else. Proper coaching of throwing mechanics is another big factor. Learning the right technique at a young age reduces stress on vulnerable joints and helps prevent overuse.
If your child develops pain in the elbow or shoulder, the first step is rest. Most of these injuries get better with time off from throwing, followed by physical therapy or exercises to restore strength and flexibility. Returning to throwing should always be gradual, starting with short, easy tosses and working up slowly under supervision. Surgery is rarely needed in kids, but ignoring the problem or pushing through pain can cause permanent damage.
As parents and coaches, we all want to see our kids succeed and enjoy the game. The best way to support them is by protecting their growing bodies. That means respecting pitch counts, making sure they rest, encouraging them to play more than one sport, and helping them build strong legs and cores in addition to arms. With smart training and awareness, young athletes can stay healthy, perform at their best, and most importantly, keep loving the game for years to come.
For up-to-date pitch count and rest guidelines, see these resources:
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