and then functional skill (sport-specific movements such
as throwing a pitch).
Too often the focus is on the sport-specific movement,
which in baseball often centers on a pitcher's arm. While
Dr. John suggests the focus cannot be limited to that
movement, there is also a need for youth programs to
work on ways to aid pitchers.
In fact, leagues across the country are working with USA
Baseball to prevent injuries through something called
Pitch Smart.
"Pitch Smart is a program that is meant to serve as a
series of guidelines and resources for the general public
to access and get better informed about how to navigate
their journey through amateur baseball," Rick Riccobono,
USA Baseball's chief development director, told Sporting
News. "It is designed to keep kids healthy and to limit
overuse, provide best practices and hopefully allow for
better-informed coaches and parents."
USA Baseball does not make the rules for youth baseball.
That process remains in the hands of individual leagues,
which is why there are problems within the industry.
Riccobono said that USA Baseball's goal with Pitch Smart
is to have its guidelines adopted as rules.