FAQs
"I’m in a lot of pain, but my coach still wants me to pitch. There is a lot of pressure riding on this game, and I feel like my team needs me. What should I do?"
Speaking up for yourself is part of being an athlete. Learning to advocate for yourself is a skill that takes practice. Athletes are often very good at pushing through pain, but pushing through pain is not always the best choice for your long-term health or performance.
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Speak up for yourself. Your coach, athletic director, and medical staff cannot make informed decisions about your participation if they do not know what you are experiencing. Advocating for yourself is not letting your team down—it is taking responsibility for your health and your ability to compete long-term.
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Give your coach factual information about your pain. Instead of simply saying, “I’m hurt,” explain:
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Where the pain is and what it feels like
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How you would rate the pain on a scale of 1–10
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When the pain started and how long you have been dealing with it
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Whether the pain has gotten better, worse, or stayed the same
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What you have done to treat or manage it
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What movements or activities make it better or worse
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Any other details that may help your coach and medical team understand what is happening
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Work with your coach on a game plan. If you are cleared to participate, talk through ways to manage your workload. For example, you might discuss using a backup pitcher for certain parts of the game, such as facing a particular portion of the lineup, rather than automatically expecting you to pitch the entire game.
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Do not make the decision based only on how much your team needs you. It is understandable to feel pressure when an important game is on the line. However, your long-term ability to play matters too. Trying to protect your team today at the expense of a more serious or longer-lasting injury can ultimately hurt both you and your team.
"I’m not a pitcher. Does that mean I’m less prone to injury?"
Not necessarily. Injury risk isn’t simply higher or lower—it can be different depending on your sport, position, and what your body is experiencing.
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Every position places different stresses on your body. As a growing athlete, you are repeatedly performing the movements and skills required by your position. Those repeated stresses can affect specific muscles, joints, and tissues over time.
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Your injury risks may look different from a pitcher’s. You may be less likely to experience some of the specific injuries associated with the muscles and movements pitchers use, but that does not mean you are less prone to injury overall. The repetitive motions and demands of your own position can create their own areas of risk.
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Your body is constantly changing as you grow. During growth and development, your body is building and remodeling bones, muscles, tendons, and other tissues. Repeated stress during this time can sometimes increase the likelihood of an injury.
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Other factors can affect your risk, too. Things like fatigue, stress, changes in your menstrual cycle, training load, recovery, and overall health can influence how your body responds to physical demands.
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Pay attention to what your body is telling you. Knowing the demands of your position and recognizing changes in how your body feels can help you communicate concerns early and make informed decisions about training and competition.
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