AgentQ
I totally agree w/ you! When I was a 12 to 15 years old (like 10 years ago), I threw a curveball and a sinker and end up wrecking my arm (although I some how managed to walk onto my college team a few years back, I was never the same). Of course, now that I'm in my late 20s, I can throw these pitches.
I wish I had a coach that would of told me about this (but some coaches today and in the past are/were about winning first)
That's the advice I give to the kids I coach now. (15-16 years old). I don't want them to throw anything other than a fastball and a changeup.
As for the pitches I've threw in college and still throw today in the adult league
#1 SINKER - 78-80 MPH, 12-6 movement w/ late dart away from Right Handers. Think Derek Lowe. During a scrimmage game against my College teammates during my Sophomore season. Our starting Catcher (while batting) told me it actually "slow" down before darting away from him. He said it was best pitch he has ever seen!
#2 CURVEBALL - 73-75 MPH horizontal movement. Solid, but not spectacular.
#3 CIRCLE CHANGE - 65 MPH moves away from righthanders!
#4 SCREWBALL - 76 MPH moves in on righthanders (I usually use this pitch on leftys)
#5 FASTBALL - 84 MPH flat, unspectular pitch. Thats why I'm a junkballer
#6 KNUCKLE - 50-55 MPH lots of downward movement, but "wild"