Baseball players should take a day off

ST. LOUIS, July 6 (UPI) -- A U.S. sports medicine expert advises Little Leaguers to big league all-stars -- to stay off the disable list, it's best to stay in shape.

Dr. Scott Kaar of Saint Louis University Medical Center in Missouri says if a player learns early "no sliding head-first into home base" and manages to avoid collisions or being hit by a ball or a bat, avoiding injury comes down to avoiding overuse.

"Every ball player I know wants to spend as much time as possible out on the field," Kaar says in a statement. "The best way to do that is to stay in shape both before and during the season to prepare your body and arm for the repetitive stresses of the game."

It comes down to adequate rest, he says, and a good program of core and shoulder stretching and strengthening.

Also, coaches need to ensure no one exceeds daily pitch counts -- especially those playing in multiple leagues. Recommendations for pitch counts vary by age -- starting at 75 throws a day for 10-year-olds and going to 105 throws for 17- to 18-year-olds.

Kaar's recommendations also include:

-- Don't skip the warm up.

-- Be sure to stay hydrated to avoid heat-related illness.

-- Do not underestimate the benefit of taking a day off.