common injuries of baseball

The pitcher pitches, the ball comes toward you, you swing, but to no avail, “STRIKE ONE!” You try again, you miss the ball again, “STRIKE TWO!” Your team’s score is tied with the opposing team’s score. All you have to do is hit the ball, and run. You try one last time, the ball comes toward you, and, you swing, you feel the bat make contact with the ball, and you follow through. Then, you run as fast as you can from one base to another. You slide toward home base, you make it! All your teammates rush toward you, hugging one another. You won the game! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Common Injuries

But, the most common injuries are caused by being hit by the ball. There’s no doubt about it. Most injuries take place during the beginning of the season. Children mostly get head/face injuries. This includes bruising, cuts, and concussions. Adults mostly get strains or sprains to the ankle or knee and fractures to the nose or tibia/fibula.

Little League Elbow is elbow pain. Throwing by skeletally immature athletes causes Little League Elbow. The throwing motion creates traction forces on the middle portion of the elbow and compression forces on the side portion of the elbow. The middle traction forces can cause separation or avulsion of the apophysis from the medial epicondyle of the humerus and overuse injury to the common flexor tendon. Early finding of the symptoms is important to avoid chronic elbow pain, instability, and arthritis.

Sliding into standard stationary bases also cause injuries. These injuries are trying to be prevented by using non-stationary bases that slide upon impact. This can cause serious feet and hand injuries.

You could also collide with another player if you are not careful.
If someone is hit in the head, either with a bat or ball, ran into the fence/boundary, fell on the ground, there is a possibility of a concussion even if they didn’t lose consciousness (faint).

Prevention

Here are some tips to help you prevent injuries:

• You must always warm up. This will warm and stretch your muscles so that they will not be tight and it will be easier to play.
• Always have a first aid kit on hand at games and practices. Be able to use it for minor injuries in case of emergency.
• Make sure you have proper instruction on skills. If you don’t, you might accidentally injure yourself.
• Make sure you are ready for new skills, mentally and physically.
• If you had a previous injury, talk with your doctor, trainer, and coach about how to prevent further injury.
• If you have a current injury, talk with your doctor, trainer, and coach about when you can go back to playing, what exercises to help strengthen your muscles, and what precautions you should take.
• Have proper attire, do not wear jewelry, make sure you have proper shoes that fit you and are comfortable.
• Have a plan ready in case of emergency. Have a route to go to the hospital.
• Do not be too competitive, have good sportsmanship, just have fun.
• Never hit anyone with equipment or on purpose.
• If hit or not feeling well, get off the field, tell the coach, and sit on the bench.
• Use breakaway bases instead of stationary bases to reduce the risk of injury.