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LAWRENCE — Every baseball season, players from major leagues to youth levels lose time because of injuries to the ulnar collateral ligament in the elbow. A University of Kansas researcher is co-author of a new study that used advanced technology to measure the thickness of baseball players’ UCLs, finding the ligaments were thicker in pitchers versus position players and that the common assumption of certain arm slots being less stressful on the elbow was not supported. 

The findings, published in the Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine, help demonstrate risks for the injury and how athletes, trainers and coaches can prevent them.

The researchers conducted a study with 22 NCAA Division I college baseball players over the course of a preseason. The players wore a sleeve with an embedded accelerometer that measured elbow torque and other variables while the players completed at least 1,000 throws during data collection. Ultrasounds were taken of their elbows. 

Results showed that pitchers had thicker UCLs than nonpitchers and that all players had thicker UCLs in their throwing arm versus nonthrowing arm. Additionally, the study found that a player’s arm slot, or the angle of the arm during their throwing motion, did not differ between pitchers and nonpitchers.

Pitchers routinely make more throws — and more high-intensity throws — than other players. That their UCL thickness was greater was not a surprise. But better understanding how factors like elbow torque contribute to the condition of UCLs can help players develop better mechanics and trainers develop players with attributes that can reduce their risk of injury, said Quincy Johnson, assistant professor of health, sport & exercise science and assistant director of the Jayhawk Athletic Performance Laboratory at KU, and one of the study’s authors. 

Prevention is valuable as players suffer UCL injuries at a high rate. In fact, the condition is even known as “Little League elbow” in youth sports.

“The purpose of this study came from members of the coaching and sports medicine staff who wanted to know if we could measure things like ligament size, and if we could include factors like height, weight and throwing mechanics to see if they make a difference,” Johnson said.

Pitchers more commonly suffer UCL injuries, and the procedure that repairs it is commonly known as “Tommy John surgery,” named after one of the first major league pitchers to undergo the procedure. But positional players have experienced both the injuries and surgeries as well. Previous research has indicated a positive relationship between UCL morphology, such as thickness, and increased UCL injury risk in 70 professional baseball pitchers. And ultrasound technology has shown to potentially be able to detect changes in the UCL prior to injury, hence better understanding what factors contribute to UCL thickness is valuable, Johnson said.

Conventional baseball wisdom has also long held that arm slot contributes to injury risk, with certain angles believed to be more dangerous or easier on the throwing arm.

“There are a lot of kids being told that there is an optimal arm slot for a pitcher, or others are harder on the arm, but it did not show that it had an effect on players’ UCL thickness in our study,” Johnson said.

Factors including higher elbow torque, higher-effort throws, volume of throws and speed of the arm during throws all correlated with a thicker UCL.

The study was co-written by Calvin Smith of Syracuse University, Brittany Dowling of Sports Performance Center, Chicago; Elias Williams of Oklahoma State University; Mitchel Magrini of Creighton University; Kase Pennartz of the University of North Texas; and Micheal Luera of Tarleton State University.

The study participants had to meet criteria of not having injuries to their throwing arm or current symptoms in the arm. Eleven were pitchers, and 11 were nonpitchers.

Johnson said the findings accomplish several things, including confirming thicker UCLs in pitchers versus nonpitchers and which factors did contribute to UCL morphology. They also can help coaches, athletes and athletic trainers develop strength and conditioning routines that help players enhance athletic performance, minimize their risk for injury and use better throwing mechanics. 

Additionally, the findings refute the common belief factors such as height, weight and even-handedness as predictors for a proper arm slot for a given player.

A former strength and conditioning coach, Johnson hopes to continue research into UCL injury risk factors such as how the type of pitch thrown affects UCL morphology. The Jayhawk Athletic Performance Laboratory is part of the Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance, which examines human health through understanding peak performance.

Johnson also recently published research on the specific body composition, strength and power characteristics key to different positions on the football field.

Ultimately, the UCL research can help coaches and players reduce injury risk, which can save money and recovery time as well as careers, as many young players never fully come back from UCL injuries. Teams have developed approaches such as maximum pitch counts to reduce risk, but more can be done.

“Is this the best way to go forward, where we’re routinely going through arms?” Johnson said. “We need to continue with a set of questions and ideas about things like throw volume and max effort throws to see if we can come up with better throwing development at lower levels of the sport.”

It would make an interesting case-study to determine just what percentage of people have a take-charge attitude and wanna be immersed in whatever environment they join. Generally speaking, the old saying goes that “10% of the people do 90% of the work” in civic organizations, for example, and that statistic holds up under the heaviest of scrutiny.

In many cases, however, members of any group might not have the impetus to be central to the momentum and their involvement is based on the availability of time, money or energy. But them leaders deserve our utmost respect and they usually get it — despite absorbing a similar 90% of the criticism or blame — even in the absence of acumen or accomplishment.

No, their mere presence is sufficient because they are willing to fill the necessary roles for the successes that pertain to their passions. At least some of the draw also comes from personal growth or a shift in a personal paradigm with a desired set of priorities in mind, where we genuinely desire an alternate path from boredom and drift towards other priorities. Like when we realize that while our single-lives was fun, we yet want some level of companionship to help fill-in-the-blanks of what we lack, or if we determine it’s time to take on more responsibilities at work because challenges help boost our confidence and earn us more money and/or admiration.

Gaylon Wm. Parker / The Dickinson Press

Don’t get me wrong … growth is relative to the individual in question and not all of us are meant to ratchet up our games all the time, and in those cases it pays to be able to sit back, unwind and decompress. That is generally where sports come into play … particularly for parents.

It’s crucial to any civic organization or environment to have the aforementioned leaders in place to take on the big responsibilities, but what would be the point of them existing without people sitting on the sidelines and simply watching it all play out? In most instances, whether they are on the bleachers during football games or track meets or enjoying them nice portable-rockers I’ve seen during recent rec-league soccer, baseball and softball games, the parents are there to root for their children in these pleasant pastimes.

And while I’m sure many of them had a blast in college and enjoyed their youths, it’s at some point they realized there are better things to do; they recognized their presence matters the most to their children and they desire a chance to witness their development in these various disciplines.

Gaylon Wm. Parker / The Dickinson Press

In many respects, by that point the sideline replaces the bar-scene and the lawn-chair is more-comfortable than the swivel-stool for people with young children. It’s a natural progression as folks re-evaluate the important events and individuals in their lives, while adding a different brand of fun to personal growth.

But even more, what I see is a communal environment of people — particularly in Southwest North Dakota — who grew up together (and maybe once sat next to one-another on barstools or in a club) and they get a chance to chat about their workdays and what might be upcoming this weekend or next. Yes, that ring of people around the Sanford Sports Complex or Mustang fields, and along the sidelines of the soccer fields at West River Community Center, really stands out and makes me smile. Along with that, you get to see their toddlers playing around with their friends’ toddlers and smell the offerings from the concession stands while others take videos or photographs in the pleasnt summer weather.

Being a sportswriter, I get to watch all this activity all-at-once and take it all in while enjoying the opportunities to chronologue and catalog the athletes’ achievements … no-matter how seemingly small and insignificant. Anybody, too, with an ounce of sense knows someday we will see them on the junior varsity and varsity rosters, so it’s better to have seen the development from the beginning.

Gaylon Wm. Parker / The Dickinson Press

What’s more: It makes me feel more a part of this community with each passing event, game, inning, quarter, photograph, story, interview and video and adds background and context to the conversation. I have the utmost respect for the coaches, board-members, leaders and organizers of all these activities, and certainly admire the parents for simply being there … every game.

So, thank-y’all for your hard work and passion, while allowing me to sit on the sidelines with you.

It’s always a lot of fun.

Gaylon is a sportswriter who originally is from Jensen Beach, Fla. and his column appears weekly. He can be reached at

gparker@thedickinsonpress.com

and/or 701-456-1213.

Gaylon is a sportswriter from Jensen Beach, Fla., but has lived all over the world. Growing up with an athletic background gave him a love of sports that led to a journalism career in such places as Enid, Okla., Alamogordo, N.M., Pascagoula, Miss. and Viera, Fla. since 1998. His main passion is small-town community sports, particularly baseball and soccer.

Above: Here’s a look at special sports camps through our schools, youth leagues, and Town Rec. (images from flyers, social media, and past contributed photos)

Southborough’s schools get out a week from today. For any readers starting to panic about how to keep their kids busy this summer, I’m taking another look at the camps being offered in Southborough.

For this post, I’m focusing on sports camps/clinics — including two I just learned about. (You can read about other camps here.) 

In my previous coverage of summer camps, I listed the options Southborough Recreation is offering for Basketball Clinics and a Soccer Camp. I’ll provide more details on those below.

I’ve also posted that Algonquin Regional High School (ARHS) athletes are running co-ed camps/clinics for Outdoor Track & Field and Tennis at the high school. It turns out that the Boys Lacrosse team is also a clinic this summer. (That opportunity is just for boys.) 

And I also learned that the youth baseball league is offering a clinic in town this summer.

Below are more details for young sports lovers.

ARHS’ Track & Field camp
next week, evenings
co-ed for ages K-8

Today is the last day of registration for the camp that will run Monday, June 16th – Friday the 20th from 5:00 – 7:45 pm. The program is run by the track team’s coaches and athletes. The fee is $175 with discounts for siblings. For more details, see dedicated post.

ARHS’ Tennis Clinic
Week of June 23rd, evenings
co-ed for ages K-8

Registration is due by Sunday for this program camp that will run Monday, June 16th – Friday the 20th from 5:00 – 7:45 pm. The program is run by the track team’s coaches and athletes. The fee is $250. For more details, see dedicated post.

ABSA’s Baseball Summer Clinics
weeks of August 4th or 11th, mornings
Co-ed for ages 8-12

This program will take place at the Mooney Field Complex by Finn School (60 Richards Road). It is organized by Algonquin Baseball and Softball Association (ABSA) and led by Runbirds:

to elevate your player’s skills on the diamond! This is an exceptional opportunity. . . to learn, practice, and perfect the fundamentals of baseball in a fun and engaging environment.

There are two sessions in August (the weeks of August 4th and 11th). The program is Monday through Thursday with Friday as a rain day if needed. It runs from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm (with check-in starting at 8:45 am).

Each day will focus on different skills (e.g., Throwing Mechanics and Fielding Fundamentals). Groups of players will rotate through skill stations. There will also be live game play.

The fee is $250 per player with a 10% sibling discount. Find more details and register here.

(Note: The website doesn’t say that it is limited to Southborough and Northborough residents, but it may be since the program is through the youth sports association for the two towns.)

ARHS’ Boys Lacrosse Clinic
Mid-July, mornings
Boys in grades K-8 (including rising freshmen)

This program will run Tuesday, July 8th through Thursday, the 10th from 9:00 am to noon. It will take place on Algonquin Regional High School’s Multipurpose Turf Field. 

The website doesn’t include details on the program, but registration is through the ARHS Boosters website. That is generally reserved for team fundraisers. And those types of clinics have traditionally been run by team coaches and players. 

The cost is $100 per participant. To sign up, click here.

GTT Summer Hoops Clinic
end of June or beginning of July
Co-ed for ages 6-10

The “fun and skill-focused introduction to the game” is offered Southborough Recreation and run by Game Time Training (GTT):

Led by experienced coaches, campers will work on fundamental skills like dribbling, shooting, and teamwork in an encouraging and positive environment. Each day is filled with exciting drills, games, and activities that build confidence and foster a love for the sport.

There is a two day and three day option, each running from 9:00 am to noon:

• Thursday, June 26 & Friday, June 27th in the Woodward School gym – $75
• Tuesday, July 1st – Wednesday, July 3rd at Fayville Park – $125

For more details and to sign up, click here.

BEST Soccer
Week of July 7th or August 11th
Co-ed for ages 3-14

The Southborough Rec program is run by BEST FC. There are options for three overlapping age groups. All will run Monday through Friday on the grounds at Neary Elementary School.

Each day will focus on a different “technical topic” and coaches will use games and activities, structured games, and 3v3 tournaments to teach “importance of a good warm-up”, basic foot skills, passing and shooting.

• Ages 3-5 (9:00 am – 9:45 am) – $110
• Ages 5-14 (9:00 am – noon) – $205
• Ages 7-14 (9:00 am – 3:00 pm) – $325

To learn more and register, click here.

ORLANDO, FL (June 10, 2025) – The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and the Fiesta Bowl have announced Boston College (BC) as the winner of the 2025 Community Service Award today during the 2025 NACDA & Affiliates Convention.

The Community Service Award will be presented by NACDA and the Fiesta Bowl this fall, at an on-campus event hosted by BC.

 

Now in its ninth year, the Fiesta Bowl Community Service award was designed to recognize NACDA member institutions in Division I honoring exceptional athletics departments that make volunteerism and community service a way of life. A five-person committee consisting of athletics directors across the country and representatives from the Fiesta Bowl and NACDA aided in selecting Boston College as this year’s award winner. The BC athletics department will receive a trophy from the Fiesta Bowl for permanent display on campus.

 

“Boston College, under the leadership of Blake James, stood above all in terms of the thoughtful and impactful efforts to assist their communities this year,” said Erik Moses, Fiesta Bowl Executive Director & CEO. “Boston College’s 700+ student-athletes used their platform to raise the spirits and enhance the lives of youth, adults and seniors across their community’s population. Through all of the rapid changes in collegiate athletics, we hope that universities and their athletic departments continue to value and provide opportunities for student-athletes’ to serve the community.”

 

At Boston College, their identity as “Men and Women for Others” is more than a motto—it is a guiding principle that shapes everything they do. Their commitment to service is not only about giving back; it’s about building meaningful connections, promoting equity, and creating inclusive opportunities that foster cultural understanding. Through this shared mission, BC unites to make a tangible difference across a range of critical areas, including hunger relief, education, health and wellness, equality, sustainability, and mentorship. Boston College proudly completed 24,888 hours of service, contributing an estimated $833,482 in economic impact. These outcomes reflect not only our dedication, but the extraordinary power of community when united in purpose.

 

This year, their collective efforts made a measurable impact. At the Allston/Brighton Food Pantry, BC helped move and organize more than 100,000 pounds of food this year through volunteering monthly, assisting with community meal preparation. Boston College supported Cradles to Crayons by organizing essential toiletries for needy individuals and provided over 3,642 Thanksgiving meals to families facing food insecurity. Through their participation in the Adopt-a-Child Holiday Program, BC donated gifts to more than 120 children, helping to bring joy during the holiday season.

 

Boston College’s focus on health and wellness was equally strong. They ran in the Red Bandana 5K to raise funds for youth sports programs, hosted the Project Life event to add over 500 individuals to the national bone marrow registry, and led a “Be the Match” drive that added donors of color to the national blood registry. BC also celebrated National Girls and Women in Sports Day by introducing over 400 girls to 16 different sports and participating in the St. Columbkille Race to Educate, raising funds for academic scholarships.

 

This year, Boston College continued making their mark on the environment. The teams participated in a local cleanup at Chandler Pond, removed waste from surrounding parklands, and took part in an Arbor Day tree-planting event to support campus environmental initiatives.

 

Mentorship remained a cornerstone of BC’s service. They welcomed students from Mothers for Justice and Equality for campus tours and a student-athlete panel, fostering dialogue and inspiration. Through their Pen Pal mentorship program with Boston middle schools, Boston College built lasting relationships through regular correspondence. Their outreach continued with strong partnerships through the BC Campus School, Best Buddies, Team Impact, and Special Olympics—organizations that support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Boston College also collaborated with Boston Catholic Charities to mentor youth and support the reintegrating of individuals from marginalized backgrounds. In partnership with the Read Aloud literacy initiative, BC visited a local middle school twice a month to share the joy of reading and promote literacy development.

 

By year’s end, Boston College proudly completed 24,888 hours of service, contributing an estimated $833,482 in economic impact. These outcomes reflect not only their dedication, but the extraordinary power of community when united in purpose.

 

About Fiesta Sports Foundation: Since its inception in 1971, the Fiesta Sports Foundation has been a world-class community organization that executes innovative experiences, drives economic growth and champions charitable causes, inspiring pride in all Arizonans during and outside of college football bowl season. As a nonprofit organization, it is driven by its vision to create unforgettable experiences through world-class sporting events, unparalleled hospitality and life-changing community impact. Through the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Rate Bowl and its year-round events, including the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe, corporate partnerships and numerous community events throughout the year, the Foundation provides charitable resources to support Arizona nonprofit organizations that serve communities through a focus on youth, sports and education. Learn more at www.FiestaSportsFoundation.org and @Fiesta_Bowl on X/Instagram. 

 

About NACDA: Now in its 60th year, NACDA is the professional and educational Association for more than 24,000 college athletics administrators at more than 2,300 institutions throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. NACDA manages 19 professional associations and four foundations. In addition to virtual programming, NACDA hosts and/or has a presence at seven major professional development events in-person annually. The NACDA & Affiliates Convention is the largest gathering of collegiate athletics administrators in the country. For more information, visit www.nacda.com.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — People living near Maybury School Park on the southeast side are frustrated with a neglected property they say just keeps getting worse.

A section of land next to Maybury School Park has not been mowed or maintained all season, as there’s ongoing debate over who is responsible for its upkeep. The city ordinance prohibits weeds, noxious weeds, and rank growth from exceeding 12 inches in height. The plot of land in question is not a part of the park, but rather a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt property.

The Ohio Auditor’s Office confirmed with ABC 6 that a group by the name of Walnut Heights Youth Athletic Association is responsible for maintaining the property. However, the Ohio Secretary of State reported the group has since disbanded. Neighbors tell ABC 6 the ones who used to run the non-profit “dropped off” last summer.

“Nobody is on record for that property,” Doug Hatcher said of Moundcrest Street. “So, to put somebody on, there’s an entire court system that has to be worked through. We learned it could take up to four years for someone to take over that property.”

This has left the community in a bind, as the City of Columbus is not maintaining the plot due to its tax-exempt status.

“All the city has to do is step up and say, ‘Let’s take care of this,’ and it’s a simple process,” Hatcher said. “The city maintains the city park section, but they don’t touch the 501(c)(3) because it is not considered their responsibility.”

The city’s code enforcement confirmed with ABC 6 that they have dozens of complaints filed about the property. Despite the complaints, city leaders have yet to clarify who is responsible for the land’s maintenance.

“Since nobody is responsible for paying for it, and it being a tax-exempt property, the city won’t take care of it,” Hatcher said. “So, it really just breaks down to nickels and dimes. They’re out there anyway, taking care of the rest of Maybury School Park. Why not spend 20 more minutes on the plot for the sake of he neighborhood and city ordinance?”

Residents have even reached out to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, which confirmed that the association no longer exists, leaving the question of who will take care of the property unanswered.

ABC 6 contacted the Columbus Building and Zoning Department, the Franklin County Treasurer, and the Ohio Attorney General’s Office on where the problem goes from here.