dustyshoes wrote:Sam,
I recall you posted awhile back that your DD was doing fine until you took her to a new pitching coach who changed her mechanics, placing an emphasis on violent and jerky arm movements. I don't mean to reopen an old wound but since pitchers/parents often hear that proper mechanics help prevent overuse injuries perhaps you can elaborate on how much you think your DD's injuries were attributable to her altered mechanics and how much to overuse. How about the age factor? At what age level can a travel team be expacted to handle a tourney with just two pitchers?
I would say that about 20% of my DD's arm problems were due to the change in mechanics....which work quite well for other kids....I don't blame the pitching coach. 80% of my DD's physical issues were directly due to me overusing her.
I don't believe there is an age factor. Would you throw a 16 year old boy complete games twice in a day? Why not? Why a girl, but not the boy? Is it OK to hurt the girl's arm because it is less valuable? (these questions are rhetorical and not aimed at you)
I don't think a team should go through a tournament with less than three pitchers.