#31: Multiple-Position Throwing Loads


I received a great email from Skip Harrison on the topic of throwing loads when a pitcher also plays catcher. Because both positions are high-skill positions, the same athletes are often asked to fill those roles. And while relevant to any position player that has already pitched in a particular game, it’s especially important when an athlete that pitches also plays catcher. Skip and I discussed the issue at hand, and the high loads that playing both positions can put on an athlete.

It is very difficult to quantify throwing loads, without a measurable statistic like pitch counts. Heck, pitches are easy to count… and we all know the difficulties leagues face in establishing and enforcing a set of limitations. Therefore, it’s nearly impossible to set up a chart or table dictating when an athlete would (or would not) be able to play catcher. Remember, every pitch that a pitcher throws, must be thrown back by the catcher. And while this is not necessarily a stressful return throw, the amount of throws can be significant… especially when combined with 60-80 pitches.

While I don’t think that the topic of multiple-position throwing loads should sit forefront in a manager’s mind as he makes out the lineup, I do think it is an important concept which youth coaches should be aware of. Certain games you may not be able to avoid using your “horse” both on the mound and behind home plate. However, understanding the throwing load associated with both positions should deter a manager from inking one athlete for pitcher and catcher… each inning… of every game.

Understanding multiple-position throwing loads is another component of avoiding overuse injuries. When an athlete pitches, we need to be aware of what other positions they are playing and how that can affect their overall arm health. In a typical youth league season, games are separated by several days. With a set of limitations in place to control the amount of innings a pitcher can work, any additional throwing done in a single game should not be damaging. However, throwing loads can become much more intense in the case of a weekend tournament (where a team plays 4 or 5 games in a single weekend), or when looking at a season as a whole. In this case, use the idea of in-season and off-season intensity levels. During the off-season months, pitch counts are be limited to a developmental level. I’d extend those intensity limitations to an athlete’s total throwing load.

In the end, Skip and I concluded that knowledge is power. With the concept of multiple position throwing loads understood, common sense comes into play to make sure that no single athlete is put in a position to throw too much.