Prevention of Youth Baseball and Softball Injuries

Injuries suffered by youth participating in baseball and softball activities have reached an alarming rate. Each year more boys and girls participate in organized baseball and softball programs across the nation. It is estimated that 4.8 million children between the ages of 5 and 14 participate in organized baseball and softball programs. This increased participation leads to an increasing number of injuries that result in disabilities and death, which could be reduced through the adoption of several prevention techniques. Studies have been conducted to show the injury rates involved in these activities, and how these injuries are occurring. The majority of these injuries are related to impact with the ball or other objects, sliding injuries, or overuse injuries. There have also been many studies showing how these injuries and deaths can be reduced through prevention and education programs. Most of these injuries can be eliminated or have the severity reduced by enforcing the use of protective equipment such as batting helmets and chest protectors, enforcing feet first sliding, placing breakaway bases on the fields, placing padding on fences, providing educational opportunities for the coaches, and assuring that players are conditioning year round.Master of Public Healt