Baseball and softball

Baseball and softball are extremely popular with American youth. Injuries are common because of the large number of participating athletes. While most injuries are acute, there are certain overuse injuries that often affect young ball players. Most of these injuries can be prevented.
Below is information from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) on the prevention of baseball and softball injuries. Also included is an overview of common injuries.



Tips for injury prevention and safety


Sports physical exam

Athletes should undergo a physical exam (PSA) before participating to make sure they are ready to start the sport safely. The best time for a PSA is about 4 to 6 weeks before the start of the season. Athletes should also visit their doctors to perform routine screening for children.

Fitness

Athletes should maintain a good level of fitness during the season and out of season. Pre-season training should allow time for general conditioning and sports-specific conditioning. Also important are the correct warm-up and cool-down exercises.

Technology

Athletes should learn and practice safe techniques to perform the essential skills of their sport. For example, baseball and softball players should avoid upside down slides and operate bases with a helmet and tear-off bases. The athletes should work with coaches and sports coaches to achieve the right technique.

Equipment

The safety equipment should sit properly and be well maintained
• eye protection. Glasses or goggles should be made of polycarbonate or a similar material. The material should comply with the standards of the American Society for Testing and Materials. Also recommended are impact helmets and catcher masks with face masks.
• Shoes with rubber (not metal) spikes
• Pads (knee and shin guards)
• Sporting supporters and trophies for boys
• For catchers: Helmets with face shield, neck guard, knee protector, and chest protector (Note: Chest protector can not prevent direct heart trauma.)
• For batters: impact helmets, face shields
• Safety baseballs (softer balls reduce the risk of injury when the ball hits the ball and reduce the risk of Commotio Cordis).

Surroundings

Heat. Proper hydration and planning exercises and games at cooler times of the day can prevent heat-related illnesses and dehydration.
Lightning. Guidelines should be in place to postpone gambling to a safer time. Playback should be interrupted for 30 minutes after the last beat if a flash is detected within a 10km radius (follow the 5 second per mile rule). A safe area (buildings with metal pipes or well-earthed wires) should be specified in advance. No one should stand under the bleachers or other ungrounded structures.
The field. A safe playing field is free of waste. Holes and uneven surfaces should be repaired. The hills of infield and pitcher should be regularly raked and smoothed. Evening games should be well lit. Tear off plugs should be used to prevent slip injuries. The base of a runner to the right of the first base foul line in the raceway is one way to prevent collisions at the first base. Security bars should be provided to protect the shelters from balls and thrown bats.
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Emergency plan

Teams should develop and practice an emergency plan so team members know their role in emergency situations. The plan would include first aid and emergency contact information. All members of the team should receive a written copy each season. Parents should also be familiar with the plan and check it with their children.

Frequent injuries

General treatment of acute injuries

Rest, ice, compression and elevation are the first step in treating an acute injury that is accompanied by pain and swelling. Athletes should stop playing and apply ice directly to the injured area for 20 minutes. After icing, an ACE dressing may be used to limit the swelling. The injured area should be raised above the heart to limit the swelling.

Shoulder injury

Shoulder Impact is a congestion injury that causes painful pain on the front or side of the shoulder. The pain is most noticeable when the arm is over the head or stretched to the side. Shoulder strain is common in young athletes with weak back and shoulder muscles. By stretching the back of the shoulder and strengthening the scapula and core muscles, these injuries can be prevented.

Baseball pitchers and other high-volume launchers (eg, catchers) are at risk for the Little League's shoulder, which irritates the growth plate in the humeral bone of the shoulder. Limiting the number of playing fields a player can throw during a practice session or game can help to prevent this type of overuse injury (guidelines for the number of playing fields based on age are published by USA Baseball) , Any athlete who has shoulder pain for more than 7 to 10 days should seek medical attention.

Elbow injury

Elbow injuries are very common in baseball players, especially pitchers, and include the Little League elbow (irritation of the growth plate of the humerus of the elbow). As with shoulder injuries, limiting the number of throws a player throws during a workout or play can help prevent overstraining injuries.

Ankle injuries

Ankle injuries often occur when the playing fields are uneven or when you slide into the base, or when you do not properly rehabilitate or protect yourself after an injury. The fields should be well maintained and tear-off bases should be used. The use of ankle braces and ankle exercises that strengthen and improve the balance of ankles can prevent repeated injuries.

Eye injuries

Eye injuries usually occur on contact with the ball, the bat or a finger. Injuries affecting vision or associated with swelling or blood in the eye should be examined by an ophthalmologist. Athletes should also keep a safe distance from players who swing a bat or play a catch. The AAP recommends that children involved in organized sports wear suitable goggles.

Heat-related illnesses

Athletes who are dizzy, confused, or have a headache complaint are most likely to experience heat-exhaustion or heat-stroke. Any Athlete suspected of having a Heat Disease should be taken out of the game immediately, chilled by all available means and transported by an ambulance (number 911).
Heat-related illnesses can be prevented if sufficient time is given to athletes to get used to training in the heat (usually 1 to 2 weeks). Drinking water or a sports drink before, during and after training as well as the avoidance of stimulants like caffeine can also be helpful.

Commotio Cordis

The sudden death due to a considerable impact on the chest is called commotio cordis. The usual cause is an impact from a baseball, lacrosse ball or puck or a direct hit in football or hockey. Recognition and revival alone are rarely successful; However, if an automated external defibrillator is available, it can successfully revive athletes with this condition.

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