News from Arkansas State University For Release: June 15, 2004

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Physical Therapy student & faculty member conduct leading research on youth sports The research featured in this release is from the American College of Sports Medicine and was completed by an Arkansas State University student, Randy Phillips, and a member of the faculty, Dr. Shawn Drake. This research was highlighted and presented recently at the organization's annual meeting. INDIANAPOLIS - Using a baseball just one ounce lighter than the standard major league size could help young pitchers better learn the skills of the game while reducing force and strain on the arm which commonly lead to injury. Researchers presented the results of a study of young pitchers using different sized baseballs today at the American College of Sports Medicine's 51st Annual Meeting in Indianapolis. "Most other youth sports leagues have reduced the size of the equipment used by the younger age groups, but in baseball, a nine-year-old is typically pitching the same ball thrown by grown men like Roger Clemens or Randy Johnson," said lead researcher Randy Phillips of Arkansas State University. "The younger players are trying to throw the ball just as hard, which makes safety a concern." Researchers tested 34 young pitchers, ages 9-12, in a biomechanics laboratory. Each threw 10 pitches with both the four and five ounce baseballs. Special attention was paid to the positioning of the elbow and shoulder joints during the throwing motion, as well as the velocity of the arm during the pitch. The results showed significant increases in velocity when the four ounce baseball was used, but no change in body mechanics. "Using a lighter baseball allowed youth pitchers to increase ball speed while at the same time decreasing forces within the shoulder and elbow joints," said Shawn Drake, Ph.D., "It stands to reason that if a young pitcher, whose bones and joints are still growing, can perform better using a lighter baseball, then it would be better for the pitcher as well as for the game of baseball." Researchers point out that an estimated 16 million United States children play organized baseball, many of them throwing hundreds of pitches during the season. With overuse injuries in the 9-12 age group being a concern, the researchers conclude that youth baseball organizations should begin to experiment by using lighter baseballs in game and practice situations. ACSM's 51st Annual Meeting is going on now at the Indiana Convention Center. For more information on the event, or to speak with ACSM Communications and Public Information staff, please call (317) 262-2818. The American College of Sports Medicine is the largest sports medicine and exercise science organization in the world.  In 2004, ACSM celebrates 50 years of leadership and scientific contribution.  The College was founded in 1954 by a small but dedicated group of 11 professionals interested in the study of physical activity and sports.  Today, more than 20,000 International, National, and Regional members carry on the Founders' goals of advancing and integrating scientific research to provide educational and practical applications of exercise science and sports medicine.                                                         -###- NOTE: The conclusions outlined in this news release are those of the researchers only, and should not be construed as an official statement of the American College of Sports Medicine. Contact: Christa Dickey, cdickey@acsm.org Jim Gavin, jgavin@acsm.org American College of Sports Medicine

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