Baseball

Baseball Resources

Our team has the go-to experts for the care and treatment of young baseball players in North Texas. We know the sport in and out — from pitching to rounding the bases, our experts are leaders in the field of sports medicine and baseball. Our team actively performs research studies on baseball-related injuries, educates others about preventing overuse injuries and leads the discovery of new treatment techniques and methods for complex conditions like osteochondritis dissecans in the elbow. Learn more about our services tailored to young athletes.

Downloadable Resources:
Baseball Injury Prevention (English)
Concussion (English I Spanish)
Managing Stress (English)
Stress Management Workbook (English)
Find more on Nutrition and Hydration here.

Tips for Young Baseball Players

Check out these important topics for keeping your young baseball player safe. Scroll to the bottom for the latest articles from our team.

We know that younger throwers have less problems, and that trouble for pitchers typically begins around the age of 12. Around this time, young baseball players are potentially playing on more than one team. They are not only growing rapidly but also they are trying to throw faster and harder. Our experts encourage parents and coaches to support young throwers in these ways:

Follow pitch count and rest guidelines.
Include fast or “hot” throws from other positions including middle infielders.
Consider working with a pitching coach. Some evidence shows that poor form may cause problems.
Don’t pitch and catch in the same season.
Learn proper shoulder strengthening and flexibility exercises.
Speak up about symptoms.
Don’t throw when tired or in pain.

Activity-related pain in young athletes is something that should be evaluated. In very young players, injuries to the growth plate can become worse with activity. For throwing athletes, particularly pitchers, pain in the shoulder or pain on the middle side of the elbow are signs of growth plate irritation called Little Leaguers’ elbow and Little Leaguer’s shoulder. Early recognition, appropriate rest and treatment can prevent more serious conditions from developing. Weekly rest and at least three months off from baseball throughout the year is recommended to help prevent the development or recurrence of this condition.

Whether fueling for a practice, a game or a tournament, an athlete needs be proactive to meet the demands of playing baseball. Teaching your young athlete to plan ahead and choose proper foods and fluids is easy when you follow tips from our certified sports dietitian.

In the heel, the big tendon from the calf muscle, called the Achilles tendon, attaches to the back of the heel onto the calcaneus bone. In very young children, the bone is not yet grown, so the tendon is held onto the foot by the cartilage in the growth plate. Eventually, the bone grows, the growth plate closes, and there is a solid connection for the tendon.

Many children naturally become more involved in sports around 8 to 12 years old. When a young athlete runs or jumps, the Achilles tendon pulls repeatedly on the cartilage in the heel, causing it to become sore. This condition is called Sever’s disease and typically improves with rest and may come and go for one to two years.

Even when a league or club does not require a sports physical or pre-participation physical evaluation (PPE), our team highly recommends this step before training begins. For most, this should be part of an annual visit with the athlete’s pediatrician. In addition to discussing important family and personal medical history, a musculoskeletal screening and additional questions about general health can ensure the athlete is set up for a safe season. Skipping this step may leave an athlete vulnerable to preventable injuries or conditions.

group session at Scottish Rite for Children

Athlete Development

Young athletes, especially those returning to their sport following an injury or trying to prevent sports injuries, need specialized training and conditioning for optimized performance and safety. The Bridge Program is designed to improve movement quality with training in areas including strength, power, plyometrics, speed and pivoting. Learn more about our Program in Frisco.

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