Pitch Count Debate about 'Tomohiro Anraku' during Koshien (AGAIN)
I was browsing the comments section of this article about Anraku. http://www.baseballamerica.com/international/koshien-over-for-tomohiro-anraku-16-after-183-pitch-outing/#.Ug9SFv2C9A4.twitter
During said article, I happened across this comment by scottaz :
"where are the kid's parents in all this. The kid is in line to make (or lose) millions of dollars. You would think they would be proactive in his life. As a clubball coach myself, I know parents personally keep their own pitch counts and let me know when their son is approaching them. Are they really going to ruin a kid's professional potential over a stupid high school title?"
So, I kindly responded with the following:
"Why don't you study about Koshien a bit before making statements about it? His parents obviously know whats going on and allow it as do all the other parents. Also, who are you to say where his vision should be? Koshien is a very big deal there and 'future' money isn't the objective at all. Kids have hidden injury's (like broken hips) from coaches just to continue. No joke. So, is it a stupid High School title? No. It's about honor and pride. So just because something is foreign to you, it doesn't make it any less important.
Don't get me wrong however. I don't 'condone' such high pitch counts for young developing arms. But it's nobody's place to tell him 'no' if he is able and willing to compete as long as his mechanics remain intact even while fatigued (which they have). Mind you, Anraku isn't the only pitcher in this tournament ever subjugated to this high pitch count stuff. He's only getting media attention due to the fact he's being scouted by some MLB teams.
Sure, these high pitch counts may shorten some or many careers, but I don't think the ones who get injured would have had 'long careers' regardless. We are babying pitchers and yet Tommy John surgery's are still rampant. And considering that the best talent produced from Japan at the baseball level is pitching (regardless of velocity), I don't think just pitch counts are the problem for so many injury's. In fact so far, stats show that while they are a problem, it's the least of the problems we have. We should be trying to lower the stress of the delivery. Sounds like a better place to start. For more information and statistics, read this: http://deadspin.com/yu-darvishs-arm-is-not-a-gun-why-hard-pitch-count-lim-508279020 "
Yeah. I'm really sick talking about pitch counts.
