Pitching Behaviors in Youth Fast-Pitched Softball: High Pitching Volumes With Unequal Pitch Counts Among Pitchers are Common

Abstract

Background: Softball is a popular sport among youth female athletes. While youth baseball has well-established, evidence-based pitching guidelines, youth softball pitching guidelines lack both evidence and enforcement. Adherence to pitch count limits in youth softball is infrequent and results in pitchers with exceedingly high pitching volumes. Methods: Pitch counts for youth fast-pitch softball teams competing for 1 consecutive year between January 2018 to December 2019 in age groups 8 and under (8U) to 14 and under (14U) were collected. Pitching volume was assessed based on individual games, single calendar days, and tournaments in which games are played on 2 or more consecutive days. Pitchers on teams were subdivided based on pitch count volumes and compared using a logarithmic transformation and geometric mean. Results: Data was collected for 10 teams from each age division resulting in analysis of 538 pitchers on 70 teams. The average pitcher threw 813 pitches per year and appeared in 20.0% of games while the average highest volume pitcher threw 2500 pitches per year and appeared in 54.5% of games. On average, the highest volume pitcher on each team threw 40% of all team pitches, while the 3 highest volume pitchers combined threw 82% of all team pitches. The average and high-volume pitcher threw pitches in 2 or more games on the same day in 37.5% and 48.6% of possible games while pitching 2 or more consecutive days in 64.0% and 79.6% of possible games, respectively. Conclusions: Softball pitchers throw high volumes of pitches while also pitching multiple days consecutively. A disparity among pitchers on softball teams exists as 40% of team pitches are thrown by 1 player and over 80% of team pitches are thrown by the top 3 pitchers. These high-volume pitchers may be engaging in unsustainable pitching practices that could predispose to injury. Level of Evidence: Level IV—cross-sectional.

Quantitative and qualitative disparities exist between baseball and softball peer-reviewed pitching-related literature: a systematic review from 1990 to 2020

“…Baseball teams utilize 9-11 pitchers on average, while softball teams use approximately 7-8 pitchers. 8 , 9 As a result, softball pitchers more frequently have exceedingly high pitch counts and pitch on multiple sequential days without rest compared to baseball pitchers. 8 , 9 This important difference between softball and baseball can lead to skewed findings and injury rates, as one study demonstrated that 50% of softball pitchers sustained an injury, yet represented only 28.5% of total injuries sustained on the team.…”

“… 8 , 9 As a result, softball pitchers more frequently have exceedingly high pitch counts and pitch on multiple sequential days without rest compared to baseball pitchers. 8 , 9 This important difference between softball and baseball can lead to skewed findings and injury rates, as one study demonstrated that 50% of softball pitchers sustained an injury, yet represented only 28.5% of total injuries sustained on the team. 29 Therefore, while fewer total pitchers may be injured in softball, the individual softball pitcher is still at high risk for injury.…”

“…3 In contrast to the successful implementation of Pitch Smart guidelines in many youth baseball leagues, guidelines for softball have lagged behind baseball and are not widely adopted in youth softball leagues. 3 , 8 , 17…”

“…Obvious disparities exist between softball and baseball with regard to regulations, guidelines, 8 and popularity in the media. 21 The discrepancy between the two sports is also present in the research setting, yet the degree of disparity has yet to be quantified.…”