Posted by: Major Dan (markj89@charter.net) on Fri Jan 24 05:25:59 2003

What would an acceptable pitching routine be for kids 8-11 during practice and before games. What I mean is, how many pitches should they throw per practice (2 practices and 2 games per week), and how many pitches should the kids that will most likely pitch on a game day throw before the start of the game.
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> Thanks!!

There are no set numbers. Each individual is different. Kids simply don't throw enough these days. But you need to bring up their level of endurance/stimina over time. You can't suddenly one day start throwing 100 pitches per day 4 days per week if you've never done that before.
Perhaps as a starting point, each practice and game should start with:
arm loosening - arm circles, etc.
arm stretches to loosen up the shoulder
warmup starting light from 30' and working back to 90'-100' over 25-30 throws. By the end, throwing should be full speed, arm loose.

In practices do a 30 pitch bullpen working on proper mechanics (there's a website's worth of opinion) and good location for 20 pitches. Finish with 10 fastballs for max velocity in the neighborhood of the strikezone.

In games, pitch counts should not be etched in stone, but use the following guidelines:
- if they tire or their mechanics start to break down, take them out
- if they can't find the plate (60% balls or more) take them out and let them 'live to fight another day'
- IMO its better to pitch two innings twice a week than 4 innings once a week, especially at younger ages. Get them 'on stage' more often, don't work them to failure
- as the season goes on, learn your pitchers and find who can go longer, who will stay hot for more innings without breaking down, who is better pitching longer but less frequently, etc.
Keep records of pitch counts and when the pitcher tires, looses control, etc. Some of that is mental, some physical. Records let you see progress, spot trends.
Over time you'll learn each pitcher and what they need, what they are capable of.
Its better to change pitchers on a high note than after they've wasted a good effort by breaking down. The more you see them pitch the better you'll become at seeing the subtle signs of breaking down before the horse is out of the barn.
Good luck.