The One Change That Could Save Youth Baseball Arms
THUMB TITLE (for YouTube Thumbnail) "Shut It Down by October 1st" BLOG TITLE The One Change That Could Save Youth Baseball Arms BLOG DESCRIPTION (SEO-Optimized) What’s the one change that could make the biggest difference in youth baseball? According to Dr. Jason Zaremski of UF Health Sports Medicine, it’s simple: shut it down after October 1st. In this Sore to Soaring Podcast episode, Dr. Z and Coach Leo Young discuss why taking a real break from structured baseball is essential for long-term health, recovery, and passion for the game. The One Change That Could Save Youth Baseball Arms If Dr. Jason Zaremski could wave a magic wand and change just one thing about youth baseball, here’s what he’d do: “I’d stop all adolescent baseball by October 1st every year.” No more tournaments. No more showcases. No more fall league games. Just a break. Not from movement—but from organized baseball.
INJURY PREVENTION & PERFORMANCE BUILDING STRONGER ATHLETES
Coach Leo Young
8/12/20252 min read
This Isn’t About Stopping Baseball—It’s About Preserving Athletes
“I don’t want someone to stop training,” Dr. Z says. “If you want to play catch with your dad or your buddies, or hit in the cage—do it.”
The issue isn’t playing baseball—it’s competing non-stop, year-round, without a break.
From Florida to California to Texas, kids are playing into November and December, only to restart structured throwing again in January.
That’s a 10–11 month season… for a 12-year-old.
Do you think youth baseball should take a break after October 1st? What’s your experience with year-round play? Drop your thoughts in the video comments.
The Damage Isn’t Always Immediate—But It’s Constant
Especially for pre-middle school athletes, whose growth plates haven’t closed, continuous load and fatigue never allow for recovery.
Injuries don’t always show up with a “pop”—they accumulate silently until something breaks.
Stopping by October 1st gives young athletes a window—November and December—to rest, reset, and rebuild.
And for players in colder regions? You naturally get even more rest. That’s not a weakness—it’s a gift.
Real Recovery Builds Passion
Taking a break also gives kids something most programs forget to value:
– Mental clarity
– Physical reset
– Time to play other sports
– A chance to miss the game
“If you really love it,” Dr. Z says, “you’ll come back to it. And probably play better than before.”
Instead, what we often see is: – Burnout
– Diminished passion
– Ongoing fatigue
– Injury risk… just to win a meaningless fall ring
Key Takeaways for Parents and Coaches
✅ Structured baseball should shut down by October 1st for youth athletes
✅ Unstructured play, training, or skill work can continue—but not competition
✅ Recovery allows for physical healing and mental refresh
✅ Multi-sport play helps overall athletic development and reduces burnout
✅ If you love the game, a short break only deepens the passion
How Sore to Soaring Supports Smarter Season Planning
At Sore to Soaring, we teach players how to train with purpose—not pressure.
We don’t chase year-round trophies. We build long-term athletes with seasons of growth, rest, strength, and skill. Because we don’t want you to just play next spring—we want you to be healthy for the next 10 springs.
Support our mission at: www.SoreToSoaring.org
Disclaimer
The views shared in this article are for informational purposes only and do not represent an endorsement by Lupos Initiative Inc., DBA Sore to Soaring. Always consult a qualified professional before implementing any training, recovery, or medical plan. No affiliation or compensation exists between Sore to Soaring and any for-profit entity mentioned.
To learn more about Dr. Jason Zaremski and UF Health Sports Medicine, visit:
https://ufhealth.org
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#SoreToSoaring #SmartTraining #PitchingHealth #RestToGrow
#BaseballDevelopment #OffSeasonTraining #InjuryPrevention
#BaseballBurnout #LongTermAthleteDevelopment
