The Risk Tradeoff: Velocity, Injury, and the System That Rewards Speed First

Scouts Chase Speed—Not Safety

“If you can throw 91 as a 15-year-old—even with no command—you’ll get looked at,” Dr. Z says.
Scouts will tell you they can “teach control later.” But you can’t teach velocity—and the system knows that.
So players empty the tank trying to hit the radar number. And that chase, when done too early, becomes the setup for long-term damage.

Should parents and coaches push for velocity if it risks long-term health? Or is it just part of the game now? Drop your thoughts in the video comments.

It’s Not Always a Clean Tear—It’s the Slow Breakdown

Everyone knows about Tommy John surgery. But what about the damage that can’t be fixed with a scalpel?
– Rotator cuff wear
– Labrum degeneration
– Stress fractures from repetitive overload
– Chronic soft tissue breakdown that builds silently over years

These aren’t “big” injuries. They’re the ones that end careers quietly, because there’s no clear fix and no going back.

Weighted Balls + System Pressure = Compounding Risk

“You throw faster, you increase your risk of pain and injury,” Dr. Z says.
And here’s the dilemma: many weighted ball programs work. They do increase velocity. But the tradeoff is baked in—more speed means more risk.
So what do most athletes do? They roll the dice. Because speed gets attention. Speed gets scholarships. Speed gets drafted.
And if they get hurt later? That’s tomorrow’s problem.

Is the System Really Giving Athletes a Choice?

Coaches say, “We just present the information—the choice is up to the family.”
But here’s the truth: most parents and athletes don’t fully understand what they’re choosing.
They’re chasing the dream—and often trusting systems that prioritize scouting success over long-term athlete health.

What happens at the pro level is one thing. But when 14-year-olds are emulating 28-year-old pros with million-dollar recovery teams, the system is broken.

Key Takeaways for Parents and Coaches

✅ Velocity gets rewarded—accuracy and health are secondary
✅ The system favors exposure, not development
✅ Most injuries are the result of cumulative wear, not a single pitch
✅ Weighted ball programs increase both velocity and injury risk
✅ We must educate families before the damage is done

How Sore to Soaring Pushes Back Against the Velocity Trap

At Sore to Soaring, we don’t demonize velocity—but we refuse to chase it blindly.
We help players and families understand the full cost of the chase, and we give them alternatives.
We build speed the right way—within a system that values mechanics, strength, recovery, and long-term goals.
Because exposure is worthless if your body can’t handle it.

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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