Need some encouragment

[sam_gordon]

I'll try to make a long story slightly shorter. My DD(12) has been playing fastpitch softball for almost four years... starting her third year pitching.

Last year... DD starts for the Middle School 'B' team (read: JV) pitching. She didn't last two innings... hit ~6-8 batters before finally getting pulled. Didn't play much after that. Hit at least one batter (usually more) every time she played. Probably pitched a total of 5-6 innings all season.

Over the summer something "clicked". She started getting more accurate. More work over the winter helped. She's not fast, but hits the spots.

Monday night, opening game (B team). She pitches 4 innings... 8K, 2BB, 0HBP, 2H. Tuesday night... 4 2/3 innings... 8K's, 0BB, 2HBP. Proud Papa, right?

Wednesday night, no games. Games scheduled for tonight, Friday, Saturday, Monday, Tuesday (and travel ball practice Sunday). Wife just called me, school nurse called her because DD did something to her wrist playing volleyball in gym class and it's swelling. Wife is taking her for X-Rays 'just in case'. Of course, it's her pitching wrist.

So here's hoping it's just a strain or a pull.

 

[Evil Genius]

So which is more important here? Softball or your child's health, I'm a little confused. I hope it's nothing major for your dd's sake

 

[Mermaid02]

I'll try to make a long story slightly shorter. My DD(12) has been playing fastpitch softball for almost four years... starting her third year pitching.

Last year... DD starts for the Middle School 'B' team (read: JV) pitching. She didn't last two innings... hit ~6-8 batters before finally getting pulled. Didn't play much after that. Hit at least one batter (usually more) every time she played. Probably pitched a total of 5-6 innings all season.

Over the summer something "clicked". She started getting more accurate. More work over the winter helped. She's not fast, but hits the spots.

Monday night, opening game (B team). She pitches 4 innings... 8K, 2BB, 0HBP, 2H. Tuesday night... 4 2/3 innings... 8K's, 0BB, 2HBP. Proud Papa, right?

Wednesday night, no games. Games scheduled for tonight, Friday, Saturday, Monday, Tuesday (and travel ball practice Sunday). Wife just called me, school nurse called her because DD did something to her wrist playing volleyball in gym class and it's swelling. Wife is taking her for X-Rays 'just in case'. Of course, it's her pitching wrist.

So here's hoping it's just a strain or a pull.

I hope it's nothing serious and she's pitching again soon!

 

[momx2]

Being the parent of a competitive child is rough, at least for me. My DD 13 plays many sports, but her true love is soccer and she is a goalie. She is contstantly bruised and battered. Broke her finger last October. We thought it was jammed again and she played 3 games with a broken finger. She never let a little pain get in her way. Right now she is nursing both wrists being strained, shots are getting harder and her arms don't have much bulk yet.

I just took her to the chiropracter yesterday to start getting her adjusted because she is so out of wack. I have been truly worrying lately that her little body just can't handle this much longer. She is also running track right now along with playing club soccer. She is beat! I'm trying to convince her to quit track (she just started this year) or even soccer, but no way.

I hope your DD heals soon and I hope it is just a strain.

 

[momx2]

So which is more important here? Softball or your child's health, I'm a little confused. I hope it's nothing major for your dd's sake

Nothing to be confused about...I'm sure his daughter's health is more important to him. It is also a worry about pitching I'm sure. When kids put everything into being the best they can be at their sport, it is devesating to them to get injuried. They want to play, not fall behind and are afraid they will lose their spots on the roster.

 

[sam_gordon]

Obviously my child's health is more important. It's just frustrating that she finally got some success and now this happens. If the doctor says 'no softball' for 3 weeks, then no softball.

 

[akhenaten]

Nothing to be confused about...I'm sure his daughter's health is more important to him. It is also a worry about pitching I'm sure. When kids put everything into being the best they can be at their sport, it is devesating to them to get injuried. They want to play, not fall behind and are afraid they will lose their spots on the roster.

Yep... happened to my son.. Freshman year he was on varsity hockey as a goalie.. soph year he got mono and missed the whole season... JR. year coach went with the goalie that had experience... it sucks...

Hope your DD heals quickly and is pitching again soon OP!!

 

[WDWisTheBest]

Obviously my child's health is more important. It's just frustrating that she finally got some success and now this happens. If the doctor says 'no softball' for 3 weeks, then no softball.

I understand the frustration for you and your daughter. If it were my child, even if the doctor would say "ok to play", considering that it is a wrist, I would be inclined to suggest no softball for 3 weeks to let the wrist heal. Tendons and ligaments take awhile to heal properly. But, that is just what I would suggest. You are close to the situation and know best. Good luck.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

First priority is taking care of the injury, as you know.

And even though you're excited she's doing well, the amount she's pitching seems excessive, i.e. 8 2/3 innings two nights in a row? In baseball, in my son's leagues anyway, the boys are limited to pitching 5 innings and I believe they have to have at least two days off before pitching again. Cause if those arms strain at this young age, there's the potential for permanent damage AND forming bad habits playing because of pain. Most coaches respect this. It also behooves teams to have many good pitchers that can rotate, not rely on just a few.

Have you considered the possibilty that she injured her wrist in gym because her arm was strained from pitching so much? Just a thought.

Oh, not criticizing, either. My DS13's whole team is dealing with arm soreness right now as they've moved up to a full size diamond this year and have moved outside for practices, so they're not used to throwing so hard and so far - yet (even though they've been practicing indoors for months). To his credit, his coach has them ice their arms down after practices and limits their throwing time if they complain of pain. It's a tough balance trying to protect arms with conditioning to play.

 

[sam_gordon]

First, thanks for all the kind words.
Second, the update: sprained wrist. Wrist brace through Saturday, then can start throwing Sunday depending on pain/mobility.

Also, Pea-n-me, I thought the same thing years ago when we started playing softball. Everyone I've talked to though (coaches, trainers, etc) have said softball pitching doesn't put NEAR the stress on a shoulder like a baseball pitch.

I think I'll tell DD that she'd better come out throwing harder next week because she'll have had 4 days off! I keeed, I keeed.

 

[golfgal]

First, thanks for all the kind words.
Second, the update: sprained wrist. Wrist brace through Saturday, then can start throwing Sunday depending on pain/mobility.

Also, Pea-n-me, I thought the same thing years ago when we started playing softball. Everyone I've talked to though (coaches, trainers, etc) have said softball pitching doesn't put NEAR the stress on a shoulder like a baseball pitch.

I think I'll tell DD that she'd better come out throwing harder next week because she'll have had 4 days off! I keeed, I keeed.

Glad that it is "minor". Lots and lots and lots of ice will help speed the healing process.

One of DD's friends was a talented softball pitcher. She practiced year round with a pitching coach all through middle school. In 9th grade she was the back up pitcher for the high school team. The starting pitcher got hurt and friend stepped in. Threw 2 pitches, tore her rotator cuff, ended her pitching career. It isn't good to put too much stress on ANY joint.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I thought the same thing years ago when we started playing softball. Everyone I've talked to though (coaches, trainers, etc) have said softball pitching doesn't put NEAR the stress on a shoulder like a baseball pitch.

I think they're learning it can.

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/health&id=6814225

http://www.stopsportsinjuries.org/softball-injury-prevention.aspx#prevention

http://fastpitchpitchingcoach.blogspot.com/2010/06/softball-myth-busted-windmill-motion.html

http://www.pitchsoftball.com/AvoidPitchingInjuries-WhatNOTToDo.html

You can find a ton of articles by googling softball overuse injuries.

Good luck to your daughter!