Little Athletes, Big Injuries

The Chicago Tribune (registration required) has an article that explores the adult-like injuries that kids are getting--like a torn ACL--partially due to over excursion, or year-round competition. The article says

New research shows the year-round play might disproportionately affect the youngest participants. Last year children ages 4 through 14 suffered twice as many baseball injuries as those 15 through 24, according to data compiled by Pietro Tonino, chief of sports medicine at Loyola University Health System.

This article has lots of anecdotal stories ranging in sports from wrestling and football to gymnastics and lacrosse. For parents with little athletes, this is a good article to read.