Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Sean McMillan (left) and former major league baseball pitcher Brandon Duckworth held an informative session on arm care/maintenance for young baseball pitchers and players at the Lourdes Medical Facility in Cherry Hill, NJ on February 12. The two are offering to come to high schools and other facility to offers the same presentation. Photo by Al Thompson

It is refreshing to see people who have been blessed with success in life give back to their community.

This is the case with orthopedic surgeon Dr. Sean McMillan and former major league baseball pitcher Brandon Duckworth.

The two have teamed up to put together a program of information for parents and coaches regarding throwing mechanics, training methods plus do’s and don’t for parents and coaches with regards to how much time young athletes – ranging from grade school through high school – should be practicing, the value of rest, playing multiple sports, plus more.

They will come to you school or facility, Power Point presentation in hand, for no charge…yup, it’s free.

These guys are certainly qualified.

Duckworth pitched professionally for 12 years with the Phillies (2001–2003), Houston Astros (2004–2005), Kansas City Royals (2006–2008), Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles (2012–2013).

Duckworth offers an infinite amount of experience and knowledge on how to bring a young athlete along developing his or her skills in a safe, common-sense manner with the goal of a long, successful and healthy career.

Dr. McMillan’s love affair with sports is a life-long passion. He is the Chief of Orthopedics and Director of Orthopedic Sports Medicine at Lourdes Medical Center of Burlington County. Additionally, he is an assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at Rowan University- School of Osteopathic Medicine (RU-SOM). He lectures throughout the country, teaching arthroscopic and orthopedic procedures to his peers.

Previously Dr. McMillan worked as a team physician within the Boston Red Sox organization, focusing on the AAA Pawtucket Red Sox. He has covered professional, collegiate, and high school sports.

Dr. McMillan brings the science of sports to table when talking to parents and coaches.

Both have said most of what they talk about in their presentation transfers well to most other sports including football, basketball, soccer, lacrosse and softball. Their presentation works well for boy and girl student-athletes.

Better yet, here are some words from Dr. McMillan about his relationship with Duckworth and about the project they are starting to call the “Lourdes Sports Medicine Sports Awareness Program.”

“Brandon and I have worked together since I treated his own ailments when I was talking care of the Pawtucket Red Sox and he was one of their starting pitchers.
Over time we have become close friends and have shared a common bond of wanting to make sure our young athletes realize that they can be really good at baseball and still have fun and become actually more well rounded by not heading into one sports specialization at an early age.
“In Brandon’s experience and in the literature it is pretty clear that the more diverse your sports background at a younger age the better coordination and skill you develop as you peak.
“As you know I take care of many young athletes in the area schools and Brandon, in addition to being a pro scout for the New York Yankees, runs pitching clinics and camps in south jersey in the winter and fall.
His focus has always been on mechanics, proper rest and flexibility/core strength.
“We work hand and hand with the strive physical therapy clinic at the Moorsetown field house to correct shoulder muscle imbalances and poor trunk control.
“Often after I see a young athlete with a correctable shoulder imbalance they will do the PT and then they will get involved with someone with Brandon’s expertise to make sure that the correction takes and that they are able to progress further.
“As much as I love surgery, I love seeing our kids out on the field even more.”

If you want to book their forum at your school or facility here is how you contact them.

* Dr. Mc Millan can be reached at 1-609-747-9200 Cherry Hill & Burlington, NJ.

* Brandon Duckworth can be reached at duckworthpitching@gmail.com.