Little League Shoulder is a disorder that is characterized by repetitive microtrauma to the proximal growth plate of the humerus. Failure of the growth plate results in a stress fracture. This is most commonly seen in male pitchers ages 11-13 years. The common finding on x-ray is widening of the growth plate. Fortunately most pitchers respond to rest and then pre-season conditioning the following year.

Besides having chronic repetitive stresses, pitchers with poor pitching technique are more likely to become symptomatic. In the development of young pitchers, the emphasis should initially be on the development of skills and control. Then as they mature, emphasis can change to increasing the speed of pitching.