Fastball vs Curveball: What Really Drives Elbow Stress in Youth Pitchers

Parents hear this question all the time: Is the curveball hurting my kid’s elbow?

This episode explains why that question, by itself, often misses the real issue.

Youth pitchers today are throwing more often, with higher intent, and with fewer recovery windows than ever before. When elbow soreness, velocity dips, or that subtle “something looks off” moment shows up, pitch type usually takes the blame. But research and real-world patterns tell a more complete story.

In this episode, Joey Myers breaks down how elbow stress actually works in youth baseball—and why workload, intent, fatigue, and movement efficiency matter far more than whether a pitch is labeled a fastball or a curveball  

What You’ll Learn

• Why elbow stress tracks more closely with throwing intent and fatigue than pitch type

• How curveballs became the scapegoat for a much larger workload problem

• What biomechanics research really shows about elbow torque in fastballs vs curveballs

• Why eliminating breaking balls without adjusting volume often redistributes stress instead of reducing it

• A clearer way to think about workload using frequency, intensity, and recovery instead of pitch names

Common Misconceptions Clarified

• Curveballs are not automatically more dangerous than fastballs

• Pitch counts alone don’t capture total arm stress

• A tired arm throwing max-effort fastballs can experience more elbow load than a fresh arm throwing controlled breaking pitches

• Elbow pain is rarely about one pitch—it’s usually about cumulative stress exceeding readiness

The Bigger Takeaway

The elbow doesn’t know pitch names. It responds to force, speed, timing, and how well the rest of the body shares the load. Protecting young arms means aligning throwing volume, intent, recovery, and movement efficiency—not chasing one “safe” pitch.

If you’re navigating elbow soreness, small velocity drops, or uncertainty around pitch selection, this episode offers a calmer, more complete framework to guide better decisions.

For more science-backed resources on youth pitching workload, arm health, and long-term durability, visit VeloRESET.com and explore the Arm Care Tips and podcast library.