How to Prevent Head Injuries in Baseball and Softball
Somewhere in the neighborhood of 33 million people in the United States participate in organized baseball and softball leagues each year. Though many consider baseball and softball non-contact sports, hundreds of thousands of injuries occur each year as a result of baseball and softball. While most of these injuries are minor, head injuries do happen and they can be severe. It is a simple matter to prevent head injuries in softball and baseball. Some common sense and remembering a few safety tips will make baseball and softball safer for you and your children.Many adults seem to believe that because they are no longer kids, and because they are playing softball rather than baseball, that a serious head injury is unlikely to happen to them. This is not a practical way of thinking; a softball is not really soft, and the balls still come off the bat and out of player's hands with enough force to cause injury.
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Instructions
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Prevent Head Injuries in Baseball and Softball
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Wear a helmet: This is absolutely the most necessary element in preventing head injuries when playing baseball and softball. A helmet should be worn when batting, running the bases and also while waiting in the on-deck circle to bat.
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Wear Sunglasses: Because both baseball and softball are outside summer sports, the glare of the sun can sometimes make it very difficult to see the ball. Sunglasses are a great way to minimize the glare from the sun and allow you to pick out a thrown or batted ball against the backdrop of the sun.
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Pay Attention: This is easier said than done, but it is important. While the ball is in play, a batted or thrown ball can land anywhere and can come at you quickly. This is an especially important reminder when young children (ages 6 through 10) are playing the game.
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Extra Fencing: Fencing added to the front of a dugout can protect those not playing at the moment: A foul ball can come at you with great speed and it may not always be possible to get out of the way. Also, foul balls may ricochet around inside of the dugout making them increasingly difficult to avoid.
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Don't hang out in the on-deck circle: Spend as small amount of time as possible in the on-deck circle. The less time you are there the lower your chances of sustaining a head injury.
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Tips & Warnings
*Catchers are at a higher risk, therefore a catcher's mask must meet NOCSAE standards. NOCSAE is the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment that has its goal the improvement of athletic equipment in an effort to reduce injuries.
*Proper fitting of the helmet is essential to the proper protection offered by the helmet.
*Make sure the helmet is approved by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). ASTM is the largest developer of standards in the U.S. and internationally. There will be a sticker on every helmet approved by the ASTM, and though it may be cheaper to go with a helmet not approved, it is not as safe and could cost you much more in the long run.
*If you are watching a game in the stands it is equally important to pay attention to foul balls. Not all injuries are sustained on the field.
*If you notice cracks or missing elements to your batting helmet, it is time to get another one.
*Never turn your back to live action; you never know what may happen.
*Never sacrifice safety for the game.
