Playing sports in middle school or high school can have so many positive benefits. There’s the physical benefits of being an athlete, but then there are all of the character-building values that come with being on a team: boosting self-esteem, learning how to be a team player, handling losses while being a good sport, the value of hard work and discipline, and more.

Of all the players on a baseball field, pitchers tend to be more susceptible to upper body injuries. The immense pressure of the repetitive throwing motion can wreak havoc on their elbows and shoulders. And as competition increases it’s no surprise that pitching injuries are on the rise—as pitchers are throwing harder, faster, and younger than ever before.

At the bottom of the ninth, with two outs and a full count, all eyes are on the pitcher. Will they make a winning pitch? If they’ve been overusing their pitching arm, not getting enough rest, or using a radar gun, they may not be able to perform at the top of their game. Pitching injuries are on the rise in young athletes, and the best treatment for shoulder and elbow injuries is prevention.

Baseball is America’s pastime, but it's also the cause of a rising number of elbow and shoulder injuries in children and youths. Each year, thousands of kids seek medical attention for pain incurred on the baseball diamond. If your child participates in this popular summertime sport, you want to know how to keep them safe.