Chart: Guidelines to limit young pitchers' arm injuries

Orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews, considered the foremost authority on pitching-related injuries and a director for the American Sports Medicine Institute, spearheaded several studies after noticing a significant rise in the number of young athletes requiring Tommy John surgery. In attempt to offset this epidemic, he proposed guidelines for coaches, players and parents to follow:

Pitch count limits

AgeMax. pitches/gameMax. pitches/week

8-105075

11-1275100

13-1475125

15-1690Two games a week

Note: Actual number of pitches thrown determines number of rest days in between pitching outings.

Earliest age to learn pitches:

AgePitch

8Fastball

10Changeup

15Knuckleball

16Slider, forkball, splitter

17Screwball

Note: Breaking pitches should not be thrown in competition until bones mature (indicated by puberty).

No year-round throwing: Pitchers should not compete in baseball for more than nine months per year. For at least three months, he/she should not participate in any throwing drills or any other stressful overhand arm activities.