Why is it bad for younger kids to throw a curveball or a breaking ball?
– Lor in Rego Park, N.Y. Always an important question, Lor. The reason you should not teach the curveball to younger children is that the curve puts a lot of strain and pressure on the elbow. Until children begin to mature, you are putting them in harm’s way if you allow them to experiment with that pitch. All Major League pitchers injure their arms at times, and they are so well-conditioned — so hold off as long as you can. The ability to throw your fastball to each corner of the plate is your best course of action. Why does a pitcher throw from a mound? – Art in Trenton, N.J. That’s a great question, Art. I bet you would be greeted with a blank stare if you asked many Major Leaguers that same question. The mound has not always been raised, and in fact, if you go back to the game’s inception, the pitchers delivered the ball from approximately 50 feet — and from a flat surface. There have been numerous studies and pitching from a flat surface puts more strain on the pitcher’s arm. To
