- Richard P. Borkowski

Part of a multi-part article on being safe at home, in the dugout, on the field, everywhere.
All areas, fair or foul, should be free of holes and other hazards. All equipment should be removed from the playing area. This includes bats, gloves, balls, rakes, covers and line markers.

The lack of a simple inspection creates unnecessary hazards. A college in Pennsylvania failed to check a fall intramural field at the start of the spring season. The softball field was full of surface indentations and holes. This was because the field was used for football in the fall. A shortstop, on the first day of practice broke his leg by stepping into a hole. Someone failed to check the field.


Fields that are enclosed should have some form of warning track. Cutting the grass a different length to serve as a warning track is a possible solution when a change in grade [or surface material] is not possible.

Flexible outfield fences decrease the chance of collision injuries. Consider padding non-flexible fences.

Open area fields should have ground rules, to warn players about running into streets, down embankments, trees and into un-maintained areas.


Other potential problems are not repairing holes in batting screens; a lack of extended screening on the batting screen and unprotected dugouts. 
 
I recommended to a township supervisor to screen the front of the dugouts. She did so and a hazard was eliminated - for a time. Coaches removed the benches from the dugout and placed them closer to home plate! The screening made it less convenient getting in and out of the dugout. The supervisor put the benches back before a ball or bat put a player in the hospital.

Try to have fencing about 8' high for spectators.

On deck batting areas must also be protected from foul balls and flying bats. Keep it far from the batter's box. Some fields now fence in the on deck circle and that's a good idea. [Ed. note: Equally important - teach your players to pay attention to the game at all times, including on deck and in the dugout.]
   

You want to use all the space you can for play, but always maintain so called 'buffer' or off-field space.

A city park wanted to service the increased youth baseball interest. They added a fifth field to the site.
Unfortunately, this effort placed home plate near a picnic area. A foul ball hit a grandmother sitting at a picnic table some 20 yards behind the unscreened home plate area.

[Ed. note: To understand the dimensions required, check this page, and remember that a full size diamond should have a 60' arc from home plate to the backstop - often on youth league diamonds 20' or less is provided. This not only puts spectators in jeopardy but those on walking paths or playgrounds behind the stands.]

More...

• Equipment Choices
• Fields and Facilities
• Coach Safely