Baseball Player Throwing Injuries

In this episode of Healthy Youth Sports, hosted by Eric Utterback, we take a deep dive into one of the most pressing issues in youth baseball: throwing injuries. Whether you’re a coach, parent, clinician, or athlete, this episode is packed with expert insights to help prevent and manage arm injuries in young players.

Joining the conversation are two of the nation’s leading orthopedic sports medicine experts:

• Dr. George Richard, orthopedic surgeon at Rothman Orthopaedics Florida and former fellow at the American Sports Medicine Institute, brings biomechanical and surgical expertise—especially around ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injuries.
• Dr. Daryl Osbahr, president and chairman of Orthopaedic Surgery at Rothman Orthopaedics Florida and co-chief medical officer for USA Baseball, offers a national perspective on injury prevention, policy, and performance care across elite and youth sports.

 

The episode explores a wide range of critical topics, including:

• Why throwing injuries are uniquely challenging in youth athletes
• The six phases of throwing—and where stress builds up
• Myths and misconceptions among coaches and parents
• Fatigue as a key risk factor—and how to spot it
• The effects of year-round play and early specialization
• The ongoing debate around breaking balls in young throwers
• Mechanics, the kinetic chain, and the power of prevention
• When to choose surgery vs. nonoperative care
• How to spot early warning signs of overuse
• Best practices for return-to-play after elbow surgery
• Emerging technologies and data in youth injury management

 

The discussion also addresses national injury prevention efforts like Pitch Smart, the challenges of enforcing voluntary guidelines, and how organizations can foster a health-first culture in youth baseball.

Whether you're dealing with Little Leaguer's elbow or evaluating advanced diagnostic imaging in young throwers, this episode delivers evidence-based, actionable strategies from two leaders shaping the future of sports medicine.

Listen now—and share with your community of parents, coaches, and providers.

For more on this topic, check out the companion blog post from Dr. Richard and Dr. Osbahr on the ACSM Hot Topic series (ACSM member exclusive content): Throwing Injuries in the Baseball Player – July 22, 2025

Looking to make a lasting difference in youth health and performance? Get certified as a Youth Fitness Specialist with ACSM/NYSHSI’s self-paced online course and earn 13 CECs.

 Learn more at acsm.org/youthfitness