Baseball may protect young shoulders

In young athletes, injury is always a concern. But a recent study found that young baseball players may actually get some protection from pitching. Concerns about overuse injuries are common in young pitchers, but the study found that these young athletes grew, they actually retained the ability to externally rotate the shoulder. Though we typically lose this kind of rotation, as well as flexibility, as we age, it appears that this external rotation may actually protect the shoulder.

That said, overuse is still a concern. Health experts say that if a child pitches extensively, plays several leagues, or pitches year round, they're still at risk for injury. Commonsense, I think.