Baseball Safety for Kids
While baseball has long been considered America's national pastime, it also has the highest rate of fatalities among all youth league sports, according to Miriam Bacher Settle, Ph.D., in The Complete Idiot's Guide to Child Safety. Knowing this does not mean you have to talk your child into soccer, but does mean you should choose a league that implements a few basic safety rules. In addition, discussing baseball safety with your child can help him remember to follow them even if you are not there.
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Head Protection
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It's not enough for your child to wear a batting helmet when he is up to bat, according to the article, "Safety Tips: Baseball," published on the Kids Health website. He should wear the helmet anytime he is running the bases, and on the deck to be next up to bat. Some leagues also require that the kids wear face guards with the helmet to protect their eyes, mouth and nose. Be sure the helmet fits your child well. If the league-provided helmets do not fit him right, buy him one of his own to take back and forth to practice and games.
Cups
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Kids Health reports that leagues differ on whether to require boys to wear athletic cups, but you can insist your child wears one each time he is at practice or in a game. The pitcher and infield positions are most at risk for injuries due to being struck by a ball, but it can also happen anywhere on the field. Your child should use a cup regardless of his position or the league's rules regarding their requirements.
Bases
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Kids sometimes injure ankles, feet an legs by sliding into an immovable base to score the run. Breakaway bases allow the base to move on impact, so that your child will not be injured during the slide. Kids Health reports that pediatricians have started recommending the use of breakaway bases in league play. They work by snapping into place on top of a rubber mat. When the runner collides with it during a slide, the base breaks off the off the rubber mat and moves.
Repetitive Injuries
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Pitching the ball increases the chance for your child to develop a repetitive motion injury. League rules typically limit the number of innings a child is allowed to pitch each week. Be sure your child's league follows those rules and, if not, speak up about it. Generally, 75 pitches per week for 7 and 8 year olds is appropriate. Nine and 10 year olds can increase to 100 pitches per week.The season limit is 1,000 pitches. In addition, your child should stop playing baseball for at least three months each year.
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