The reasons for my asking orbits this –
You and your son should have a detailed itinerary, prescribed by collaboration among your family’s general practitioner, the surgeon(s) and your son’s physical therapist(s). That itinerary should have progressive, do-n-don’t routines, for certain restrictive movement, exercises, nourishment, medication and so forth.
You and your son should be documenting this experience, day by day. Then, periodic consultations, either over the phone or in person with all or certain members of the professional medical group that I itemized above.
Your son should receive a written statement that he is allowed to pitch – and specifically stating pitching. The medical group that is attending your son should know up front that he is pitching, and competitively at that.
You should have video of your son pitching, before and after his surgery. You should also collect your son’s penmanship – his signature in particular, again, before then after his injury.
Now to address your son’s work with the professional pitcher
-Why the conditions?
Your son’s pitching coach should be brought up to speed on everything relating to your son’s prescription as dictated by his professional medical group. He should also know up front how your son’s injury came about, how long did your son wait before seeking medical help, what did your son do for physical activity prior to seeking medical help, what was the initial diagnosis, how to deal with it, and what decisions were left in your lap to be decided on.
This pitching coach should also have privilege seeing the daily routines that your son was left with for recuperation and what was the initial time period given for recuperation – then was it adjusted along the way – and why?
Your son’s pitching coach should have either agreed with taking on your son as a trainee – and why? He should have given you in writing exactly what he planned to instruct your son in, what steps along the way that he planned take in consideration of your son’s situation, and at what point – if any- he would shut your son down. He should also volunteer a written outline of his professional observations during your son’s time with him – to the medical team collaborating on your son’s behalf. These professional observations by the pitching coach can be invaluable witness to your son’s rehabilitation progress.
Why the condition?
Pitching is a stress load specific activity that dictates a healthy body in total.
Injuries only complicate the subject, not to mention going into a coaching/training environment. So, you’re being up front with his medical staff as well as keeping his pitching coach in the loop. All in all, everything is focused on helping your son. In addition, a written statement may be mandatory as prescribed by the school board or other governing body that sets forth the parameters for sports participation.
Why the ?
I’ve been involved in the rehab programs of mature pitchers for some time. I always start off with what things looked like a few years prior to an injury, then any activity …. ANY activity, after said injury. Sometimes I can pick up why an injury happened, thus my dialog with all concerned is an educated one. Thus, I’m not shooting in the dark or going into something blindly. So, basically I look for a foundation to start with, then go from there. But, never by myself. I always involve myself with others in the medical field and like. I also want a collection of a man’s penmanship – his signature in particular, again, before then after his injury.
Why?
The shoulders, arms, elbows and wrists are the most flexible parts of the body. They are also exposed and vulnerable to all kinds of stress, bruises and sprains. Hence, their construction and development can speak volumes for the motor skills of an athlete, as that athlete grows and experiences life.
To wrap this all up – your son’s pitching coach, being from the professional game, will find all that I’ve posted here as no surprise. In fact, he’ll find all of this, old news. He’s been through this stuff over and over again.
Which brings me to a final note – not related to your son’s injuries. This pitching coach that your son has, is from the pro game. A hard knocks, no-nonsense kind of life style that finds no humor being played. Being played !!! Yes being played. Going to others for advice, then going back to this man and bouncing this-or-that around, suggestions from others, may not sit well with this man. Be careful. On the other hand, there may be nothing to it. Only you know the situation.
By the way, I’ve had experience with pitchers that have gone through similar injuries that your son has had. Their recuperation has been a bit tricky and lengthy. Their life style, self-discipline, and to a certain extent – available money, didn’t help matters. As for my involvement – I walked.
Coach B.
