Baseball Safety for Children

According to http://www.lpch.org/DiseaseHealthInfo/HealthLibrary/orthopaedics/stats.html 108,300 children are treated in hospital emergency rooms each year from baseball and softball related injuries. Most of these injuries are abrasions, sprains, and broken bones. However, of all sports children participate, baseball has the highest fatality rate. Three to four children die each year from injuries suffered while playing baseball.

Most baseball injuries occur when a child is hit by the ball, when players collide, and when children slide into base. Pitchers also suffer repetitive motion injuries. It is easy to see why children who play baseball are at risk of injury if you think about it. Following some safety guidelines and ensuring that the coaches do the same will help prevent injuries to your child while playing baseball.

Always wear safety gear. You should have your child wear safety gear during games and practice. Batting helmets should always be worn when batting. Helmets with a face guard are preferred because of the added protection to the face. Safety goggles are also advisable. It is no secret that children often get black eyes from being hit with a baseball but the larger concern is that blindness can also occur when a child is hit by a baseball.

Batting gloves will not only help absorb the impact when the bat makes contact with the ball but they will also help avoid abrasions to your child's hands when sliding into base. Cleats with steel spikes should not be worn by children to avoid injuries when sliding into base. Catchers should be provided with and use adequate safety equipment such as a catcher's mit, shin guards, chest protection, and a helmet with a face guard.

Limit pitching time. Pitchers are at risk for repetitive motion injuries. Injury to the shoulders and elbow often occur. Most leagues for children, including Little League Baseball, limit the innings or amount of pitches that a young pitcher can pitch. Ensure that these guidelines are followed. Teach your child not to play through pain. If they feel discomfort when pitching they should stop.

Stretch before games and practice. Children should stretch before any game or practice. Someone should be appointed to lead the stretching activities before each game and practice. Stretching the muscles and warming up will limit the amount of injuries to your child's muscles. Stretching before physical activity is a good habit to start when your child is young.

Teach your child to play safe. Teach your child to play safely. Avoiding injuries to themselves and other players should be the top priority. Teach your child how to slide to avoid injuries to themselves and others. Teach your child to pay attention to the players around them to avoid collisions. Observe your child's coach during practices and make sure he is teaching the kids to play the game safely.

Encourage your child's league to use tearaway bases. Tearaway bases are designed to break free when they are slid into. This helps to avoid ankle injuries that often occur when the foot comes in contact with a base that does not give. Have other parents and coaches help you address the issue.

Use tees for young children. Young children are not developmentally advanced enough to avoid many sports injuries. Balance, hand eye coordination, and reaction time are not fully developed. Young kids do not have the control to throw the ball very accurately and to catch or dodge a ball that is coming straight at them at a high rate of speed. Using a tee or having an adult pitch will greatly reduce the amount of injuries for young children.

All kids should have the opportunity to participate in physical activities such as organized sports. As parents we need to take the necessary precautions to keep our kids safe.