St. Petersburg, Florida -- Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Chris Archer has been pitching with the Rays since 2012. The 26-year-old started playing baseball in high school, and even then he made sure he played other sports.
But these days too many kids in baseball only play baseball and play it too long, so the ace pitcher decided he needed to get an important message out: parents, grandparents and coaches need to look out for kids and not let them overuse their bodies.
PHOTOS: Chris Archer reports for 10 News
SEE ALSO: Archer on 10 News at Noon
So Archer decided to put down his glove for a few days and picked up the microphone and played the role of 10 News reporter for a day.
Rays Archer becomes 10 Sports reporter
Archer turned a story for 10 News about kids overusing their arm as pitchers, playing too long throughout the year, and throwing too many pitches.
In Florida, kids can play ball year-round. Between the warm weather and the recent boom of travel ball, some kids are playing 10-12 months out of the year. Archer and other major league players don't even play that long.
SEE ALSO: State Little League Guidelines
VIDEO: Behind the Scenes with Chris Archer and 10 News
Archer interviewed the Rays head athletic trainer Ron Porterfield about the importance of building strength and resting your body as a child. Porterfield and Archer also demonstrated a few techniques young athletes in all positions can use to strengthen their arms.
Archer also interviewed Jason Riley, director of sports performance at Performance Compound, who explained the importance or all ages warming up, building core strength and playing a variety of sports.
The bottom line is kids should not be playing more than those in the MLB -- especially pitchers.
VIDEO: Part 1: Interview with Rays head athletic trainer Ron Porterfield
VIDEO: Part 2: Interview with Rays head athletic trainer Ron Porterfield
VIDEO: Part 3: Interview with Rays head athletic trainer Ron Porterfield
VIDEO: Part 1: Arm strengthening exercises for kids
VIDEO: Part 2: Arm strengthening exercises for kids
VIDEO: Part 3: Arm strengthening exercises for kids
VIDEO: Chris Archer interview with Jason Riley
GALLERY: A glimpse into Chris Archer's workouts
