NPB pitchers undergoing Tommy John surgery (UCL reconstruction) are increasing. This article examines structural causes of pitcher elbow destruction from youth overuse through high school exploitation to professional overwork, and prevention efforts.
At Koshien, ace pitchers throwing hundreds of pitches over consecutive days has long been romanticized. Behind this narrative, many young pitchers destroyed their arms and never fulfilled their professional potential.
Ace pitchers throwing 150-plus pitches on consecutive days at Koshien has long been consumed as inspirational drama. But the cost is a steady stream of broken arms before players even turn professional.