CapCity Little League strongly recommends that Little League players not throw breaking pitches (i.e., curveballs and sliders).  There is an abundance of opinion among orthopedic surgeons, sports medicine professionals, and baseball coaches that throwing breaking pitches, especially at the Little League age level (12 and under), risks damage to young arms that are still developing.  The growth plates of the bones are weak and susceptible to injury when the ligaments attached to them are stressed by pitching overuse (throwing hard too often without rest) and/or by throwing breaking pitches. 

Little League Baseball and CapCity Little League instituted a pitch count requirement in 2007 in order to help ad dress the problem of pitching overuse.  Little League Baseball is in the process of conducting a 5-year study of the effects of throwing breaking pitches among Little Leaguers in order to provide the basis for a national opinion or rule. 

This CapCity Little League advisory on breaking pitches is intended to provide additional support for parents and coaches to protect young arms. Parents and coaches are encouraged to seek out the advice of medical professionals and pitching experts to determine the best approach for their young players to learn proper pitching mechanics, participate in strength and conditioning programs, and employ effective pitching drills to prevent injury and to keep playing baseball for years to come.