Baseball | Dr. David Geier - Sports Medicine Simplified

Will throwing a curveball increase your risk for injury?

February 17, 2015 • Baseball, Youth Sports

Probably the most controversial risk factor for arm injuries in young pitchers has been the curveball. For years, orthopaedic surgeons and baseball organizations have recommended that young kids avoid throwing the curveball and other breaking pitches until their bodies mature. Does throwing a curveball really increase the risk for shoulder or elbow injury in young baseball pitchers? Continue Reading

15 changes I’d like to see in 2015

January 1, 2015 • Analysis, Baseball, Football, Youth Sports

Heading into 2015, here are 15 ideas I have that could make sports safer for athletes from the pros down to the high school and youth levels. Continue Reading

Encouraging Little League baseball coaches to use pitch counts

November 18, 2014 • Analysis, Baseball

We’ve heard about the need for pitch counts in youth baseball for many years. The thinking behind these guidelines is that if we can limit a kid’s pitches in a game, week or season, we will significantly decrease his chances of suffering an overuse shoulder or elbow injury. But how often do youth baseball coaches actually monitor and enforce pitch counts? Continue Reading

Do baseball pitchers from warm weather areas have a greater risk for Tommy John surgery?

November 4, 2014 • Analysis, Baseball

We have seen the numbers of Major League Baseball pitchers who have had Tommy John surgery increase significantly in the last few years. Maybe worse than that jump has been the increase in the number of injuries among high school aged pitchers. What has been the cause of this spike in Tommy John surgeries? Here is a risk factor you might not have heard before. Continue Reading

Pitching performance suffers after Tommy John surgery

July 31, 2014 • Analysis, Baseball

Injuries to the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) of the elbow are common in Major League Baseball. That ligament is the main stabilizer to some of the forces on the elbow with the throwing motion. With repeated stress over time, that ligament can fray and ultimately fail. Reconstruction of the ulnar collateral ligament, better known as Tommy John surgery, is usually required to allow an elite pitcher to return to the mound. While success rates for return to pitching after UCL reconstruction usually exceed 80%, a new study examines how the injury and surgery affect pitching performance. Continue Reading

Brady Aiken and the risk of elbow injuries in top pitchers

July 24, 2014 • Analysis, Baseball, Youth Sports

Brady Aiken, a left-handed pitcher from San Diego, recently became only the third high school pitcher to be selected as the top overall pick in the Major League Baseball draft. He reportedly had agreed to a $6.5 million contract with the Houston Astros before the deal fell apart, allegedly over concerns about his elbow ligament. Continue Reading

Should Major League Baseball adopt breakaway bases?

May 15, 2014 • Analysis, Baseball

A number of star baseball players have been injured in recent years while running the bases. Are breakaway bases, like those used in Little League, a viable option? Continue Reading

What is causing the spike in Tommy John injuries?

April 17, 2014 • Analysis, Baseball

Is the apparent rash of Tommy John surgeries early this season in Major League Baseball a real concern? Is there any measure that professional teams can take to decrease these injuries? Can the athletes themselves take steps to avoid these injuries? Continue Reading

Sports medicine stats: Baseball participation

April 16, 2014 • Baseball, Statistics

Every year in the United States, approximately 15 million children and adults play organized baseball. This number includes 5.7 million children in eighth grade or lower. Continue Reading

Tips to prevent eye injuries in sports

April 15, 2014 • Baseball, Basketball, Field Hockey, Ice Hockey, Tennis, Youth Sports

With April serving as Youth Sports Safety Month, we look for steps to lower the risks of injuries for children in all sports. The American Academy of Ophthalmology points out that a large number of eye injuries occur to young people in sports. Decreasing these eye injuries would be a significant step to keeping kids safe.
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Category Archives: Baseball