Year-Round Baseball: How Warm Weather in San Diego May Be Fueling Youth Arm Injuries—And What to Do About It
By Kevin Rose | Peak Form
The Double-Edged Sword of Year-Round Baseball
Living in a warm-weather paradise like San Diego has its perks—especially for young baseball players. Unlike their East Coast or Midwest counterparts, who are forced into winter shutdowns, athletes in Southern California can play and train year-round. More playing time should mean better skills, right?
Not so fast.
A recent study found that pitchers in warm-weather states undergo Tommy John surgery (ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, or UCLR) at significantly higher rates than their cold-weather peers. Even more concerning, those from warm states tend to need surgery earlier in their collegiate careers, suggesting that overuse starts long before they reach the big leagues.
Why Warm Weather Increases UCL Injury Risk
The research highlights a major issue in places like San Diego: too much pitching, too soon, and for too long. With no natural seasonal break, young athletes may accumulate more throwing volume at a younger age, leading to wear and tear on their elbows before they even reach college.
Here’s some reasons the researchers believe this happens:
- More annual throwing – Players in warm climates have the ability to pitch in multiple leagues, showcases, and travel teams without a real offseason.
- Less recovery time – In colder states, forced breaks give the elbow a chance to recover. In San Diego, young athletes may never take an extended rest.
- More stress on the UCL – Heat allows for greater flexibility and torque, potentially increasing velocity—but also placing more strain on the elbow.
What This Means for Youth Baseball in Southern California
For parents, coaches, and players, these findings should serve as a wake-up call. If the goal is long-term success—whether at the collegiate or professional level—building in seasonal rest is just as important as practicing year-round.
San Diego’s baseball culture encourages competition at a young age, but without structured downtime, young athletes could be fast-tracking themselves toward injury.
Actionable Steps to Prevent UCL Injuries
To ensure young pitchers have a healthy and sustainable career, consider these science-backed injury prevention strategies:
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Take an Offseason (Yes, Even in San Diego)
- Research suggests that at least two to three months per year of not throwing competitively reduces the risk of serious arm injuries.
- Use the offseason for strength training, mobility work, and general athletic development instead of year-round pitching.
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Follow Pitch Count & Rest Guidelines
- Stick to MLB’s Pitch Smart recommendations to limit pitches per game and per week.
- Build in adequate rest between outings—at least 5 days after a high-pitch count day.
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Don’t Specialize Too Early
- Young athletes who play multiple sports develop stronger, more balanced muscles and experience fewer overuse injuries.
- Encourage kids to play other sports like soccer or basketball to avoid throwing year-round.
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Prioritize Arm Care & Strength Training
- Incorporate shoulder and elbow stability exercises into training.
- Strengthen the core and lower body to reduce stress on the arm.
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Monitor for Fatigue & Pain
- Teach athletes to recognize early warning signs of elbow discomfort.
- The “No Pain, No Gain” mentality is outdated. Address pain early before it leads to serious injury.
Final Thoughts
San Diego’s endless summer gives young baseball players a major advantage—but only if they use it wisely. The data is clear: more throwing isn’t always better. Without structured recovery time, youth pitchers risk damaging their elbows before they even reach their prime.
Parents, coaches, and players must prioritize long-term health over short-term gains by implementing seasonal breaks, limiting pitch counts, and focusing on total-body athletic development. Because the real goal isn’t just playing baseball today—it’s staying healthy enough to play for years to come.
