This survey produced mixed results. In addition to those injuries we anticipated, the list of 'others' included wild bounces in the infield, muscle strains from improper warmup, knee injuries of catchers, and throwing the bat while batting.
In addition to those possible league actions we'd thought of, we heard about 'no player other than batter allowed to hold a bat during games or practices'. (Excessive? Maybe.) We were also surprised that no leagues (at least among our voters) had imposed mandatory chin straps, or introduced sliding pants, or some other steps we expected. And we had someone asking us about field maintenance tips - a new area for WebBall to explore!
Comments from voters...
It starts with training. Proper training (sliding, fielding, etc.) can reduce the incidence of injuries. Yes, coaches should know first aid but more important, they need to know how to coach. Leagues should have mandatory coaching guidelines to insure safety with pre-seasons long enough for sufficient practice.
- Steve Siens
I am a player, and while I am certainly concerned about the safety of the game, I also do not want to see the game changed so much in the name of safety that it is no longer fun to play. There is a certain amount of risk involved with playing a sport, and if people are unwilling to take it, they should not play. I don't deny that some things need to be done to improve safety (I don't think that the -3 BESR is a bad idea), but with the new facemasks and everything else, it takes away some of the fun of the game.
- Matt
My son is a 13 year old catcher playing for two leagues. Both coaches used him in all the innings and all the games as catcher. One day his knees started to get swollen and the his doctor suggested that he shouldn't catch for the rest of the season. Both coaches are kind of mad and dissappointed at him, and one coach sits him in all the games.
- Maritza. Torres [And you can guess what WebBall thinks of these coaches!]
We have a lot of problems with players throwing the bats into the catchers after they hit the ball into play. We've ruled that as an automatic out on the batter but are finding out that A level leagues don't have it as an actual rule for umps to call.
- JIm Wilson
Coaches are asked to pull worn or unsafe equipment from their bags when they return them at the end of the season, but they don't always do it. That leaves the new coach to inspect and return equipment.
First aid training is an interesting concept. I know enough as far as bruises, cuts, etc...I think I should know more. I do keep basic first aid supplies handy.
I don't allow players to pick up a bat until they are on deck and they can't swing it until they are in the on-deck circle. Some of our fields have fenced on-deck areas near the bench. On others, we have the players stand a safe distance away from the batter box near a rubber throw down home plate. They must wear a helmet BEFORE entering the field of play. I've had no problems with this once everyone knows the routine and we enforce it. I did have to take away an at-bat from a young man in a coach pitch league once when he continued to swing his on-deck bat in an unsafe way. His parents supported my decision and we all learned a good lesson. He got his next at-bat and it was never a problem thereafter.
- Joe McKinley
