The impact of increased velocity on injuries

The podcast episode discusses the far-reaching effects of increased velocity in baseball. Pitchers throwing harder has led to an increase in overuse injuries, such as ulnar collateral ligament tears, which sideline players for extended periods of time. Youth players are particularly susceptible to overuse injuries. Recovery and attention to soft tissue structures play a crucial role in protecting against ligament damage. Studies have shown a correlation between fastball velocity and injury risk, with harder throwers being more prone to injury. The rise in velocity has also affected other aspects of the game, such as an increase in hit by pitches and a higher number of pitcher injuries from comebackers.