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Review
. 2019 Nov;78(11 Suppl 2):16-20.

Curveballs in Youth Pitchers: A Review of the Current Literature

Trent M Tamate  1 , Alexander C Garber  1
Affiliations
Review

Curveballs in Youth Pitchers: A Review of the Current Literature

Trent M Tamate et al. Hawaii J Health Soc Welf. 2019 Nov.

Abstract

As the number of young people playing baseball has increased, so have the number of injuries. Throwing arm shoulder and elbow injuries are most common, and lead to both short and long-term consequences. Recent efforts have been made to identify risk factors for injury with corresponding regulations created to protect youth pitchers. Unlike rules enforcing pitch counts, prohibitions against curveballs are based on minimal objective evidence.

Keywords: Little League; curveball; elbow; pitcher; shoulder; throwing; youth.

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Conflict of interest statement

None of the authors identify any conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
A and B, Side and Front Views Demonstrating Extreme External Rotation Seen During the Late Cocking Phase. C and D, Side and Front Views Demonstrating Sudden Shoulder Internal Rotation and Elbow Extension During Arm Acceleration.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Forearm Supination Seen While Throwing a Curveball (Left-handed Thrower Pictured).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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