WebBall.com - Youth Injuries

The Dangers of Baseball

This Consumer Product Safety Commission study was completed in 1996. Since then a number of safety recommendations have been implemented. There are other injury risks still to deal with, although no sports is ever 100% risk-free.

Injuries

In 1995, hospital emergency rooms treated 162,100 players (age 5-14) for baseball-related injuries.

Almost 75% of injuries occur in ages 10-14 (only 50% of total players)
10 and under, most common injuries are to head and neck area.
Older players more likely to sustain arm and leg injuries.
33% of all injuries classed as severe - fractures, concussions, internal injuries, and dental injuries.
Remaining 67% less severe injuries include contusions, abrasions, lacerations, strains, and sprains.

Mortality

CPSC also analyzed 88 reports it received of baseball-related deaths of children between '73 and '95.

68 deaths (77%) from ball impact, including
- 38 deaths (56%) to the chest(Learn to turn your back to the pitch)
- 21 deaths (31%) to the head
- 9 deaths (13%) to other areas
13 deaths (15%) from bat impact
7 deaths (8%) cause unknown

How Injuries Happen
Injury	%	Total & Details
Hit by ball	55	88,700 during 1995 47,900 to head and neck 35,200 to face during organized play
Hit by bat	12	19,500
Collision	12	19,500
Tripping	9	14,600
Sliding	8	13,000 8,200 caused on slide into the base 6,600 of base-contact sliding injuries during organized play. Girls at higher risk of base-contact sliding injuries.
Other	4	6,500

Safety Recommendations

Safety equipment for baseball could significantly reduce the amount and severity of 58,000 (36 %) of baseball-related injuries each year. Conclusions from the CPSC Study...

Softer-than-standard balls may prevent, reduce, or lessen the severity of the 47,900 ball impact injuries to the head and neck.
Batting helmets with face guards may prevent, reduce, or lessen the severity of about 3,900 facial injuries occurring to batters in organized play.
Safety release bases that leave no holes in the ground or parts of the base sticking up from the ground when the base is released may prevent, reduce, or lessen the severity of the 6,600 base-contact sliding injuries occurring in organized play.