In the middle of the 1974 Major League Baseball season, Dodgers’ starting pitcher Tommy John suffered an injury which changed the rest of his baseball career.

Senior varsity starting pitcher Nick Beaulac is currently suffering from the same setback.

Tommy John surgery is a procedure in which the ulnar collateral ligament, which is located on the inside of the elbow, is reconstructed using a tendon from the forearm. The tendon is used to help recreate the damaged ligament and stabilize the elbow joint.

Common among baseball pitchers, Tommy John surgery occurs when the ligament becomes stretched, frayed, or torn through the repetitive stress of the throwing motion. It is named for the aforementioned pitcher who became the first to undergo the surgical procedure.

Washington Nationals’ pitcher Stephen Strasburg experienced the same injury. Strasburg underwent surgery in the middle of his rookie year, which left him on the bench for a season and a half.

“Tommy John surgery saved baseball,” said athletic trainer Kent Hulnick. “Without the surgery, many of the famous baseball players we’ve known wouldn’t have gotten to continue their careers as long as they should’ve been able to.”

At the time of the injury, John only had a one percent chance of recovery. Athletes who suffer from the injury now have an 85-92 percent chance of recovery. Beaulac suffered the injury as he trial pitched for the Savannah College of Art and Design, who offered him a scholarship to play collegiate ball.

In addition to the offer from the SCAD, Beaulac has received offers from three other schools, including Piedmont College, University of Maryland Baltimore County, and Elon University. He has not committed to any of these colleges so far.

“The college athletic process is stressful,” said Beaulac. “It’s hard enough choosing a college, and though I have the support of both the high school and college coaches, it’s been even harder trying to decide where I want to go [to college] with this injury.”

Full rehabilitation of the ulnar collateral ligament takes about one year for pitchers. Beaulac has received much understanding from the coaches of the four college baseball teams. He will have to have a medical red shirt for 9-12 months.

“This injury has been devastating,” said Beaulac. “I have been playing baseball with the majority of the seniors since little league and not being able to play with them in our final season is probably the worst part of this whole injury.”