Use Of Reduced Impact Ball In Youth Baseball: Safety Balls

“Based on the research performed by USA Baseball and other investigators demonstrating that a reduced impact ball can decrease the incidence and severity of ball impact injuries to less skilled players aged 5-12, the USA Baseball Medical and Safety Advisory Committee recommends: 1. That youth baseball organizations adopt for their Tee-Ball and other “minor league” programs that are focused on skill development, reduced impact baseballs that meet NOCSAE standards levels 1 and 2.

2. This recommendation does not diminish the importance of teaching fundamental baseball skills and ball avoidance skills and techniques for batters.

3. Current scientific literature on the prevention of commotio cordis by chest protectors is not adequate and therefore, the effect of any equipment on the risk of chest impact death remains unsubstantiated at this time.“

See Report from USA Baseball Medical And Safety Committee: Safety Balls

 

 In My Opinion: I know from the ongoing injury study that I perform for my insurance client, Dixie Youth Baseball (ages 12 & under), that three of the leading causes of injury are being struck by batted balls, thrown balls, and pitched balls. The vast majority of injuries that occur in T Ball and Coach Pitch are from being struck by batted balls and thrown balls. These injuries in the lower age groups are primarily caused by lack of skills. Based on my personal observation in working with youth baseball players ages 5-8, players can better learn skills if some of the fear factor is removed. I would say that softer baseballs definitely remove some of the fear factor which can result in more quality practice sessions in terms of repetitions and the development of skills. As players move out of T Ball and Coach Pitch, the skill levels are usually such that the types of injuries that could theoretically be prevented or reduced by reduced impact balls don’t come into play as often. From an injury analysis point of view, it is almost impossible to predict if a reduced impact ball could have prevented or reduced an Accident insurance claim. It is much easier to predict the outcome of other safety equipment such as batter’s face guards or catcher’s throat protectors as they are almost 99% effective in preventing injury.

Pitching Injuries In Youth Baseball: Pitch Counts And Prevention

 Baseball is one of the safest sports available for today’s youth. However, many of the serious injuries suffered by adult baseball pitchers may have begun to develop at the youth level. One of the missions of the USA Baseball Medical & Safety Advisory Committee is to provide scientifically based information to its youth baseball members to reduce the risk of injury and maximize the younger player’s ability to perform and advance to higher levels.

The following recommendations were made for pitch counts, pitch types, pitching mechanics and physical conditioning, multiple appearances, showcases, multiple leagues, year round baseball.

Pitch Counts: Youth baseball should incorporate the practice of pitch counts like high school, college and pro baseball. The primary factors in predicting arm injuries from pitching are the total number of pitches thrown per game, week, season, and year. 

Age specific pitch count recommendations: 

9-10 year old pitchers:
50 pitches per game
75 pitches per week
1000 pitches per season
2000 pitches per year

11-12 year old pitchers:
75 pitches per game
100 pitches per week
1000 pitches per season
3000 pitches per year

13-14 year old pitchers:
75 pitches per game
125 pitches per week
1000 pitches per season
3000 pitches per year

Pitch Types: Previous studies have shown that breaking pitches such as curveballs and sliders place more stress on elbows and shoulders than fast balls. As a result, it is recommended that youth pitchers should avoid throwing these types of pitches.

Pitching Mechanics: Lab studies show that good pitchers at all levels use about the same mechanics and as a result proper instruction should be given to youth pitchers at an early age to avoid undue stress levels on elbows and shoulders.

Multiple Appearances: The practice of allowing a youth pitcher to return to the mound after having been removed earlier in a game is frowned upon.

Showcases, Multiple Leagues, Year Round Baseball: All of these participation opportunities are likely to result in throwing too many balls and the related overuse injuries to shoulders and elbows.

In My Opinion: Having served on the USA Baseball Medical And Safety Committee with Tommy Johns, I overheard him say that more kids now know his name from the so called Tommy Johns’ elbow surgery than from his days as an All Star pitcher in the major leagues. It is a sad state to see the explosion of these surgeries in youth baseball and to learn that many youth actually want this surgery as they mistakenly believe that they will some how be made even stronger then before. At the same time, I know that the media generated by the USA Baseball Medical And Safety Committee study on pitch counts is having a positive impact. My son plays in a youth league and I actually see coaches voluntarily starting to use pitch counts even though they are not mandated by the league.  John Sadler

See Report On Youth Baseball Pitching Injuries By USA Baseball Medical And Safety Committee: http://mlb.mlb.com/usa_baseball/article.jsp?story=medsafety11

Catastrophic Injury Survey In Amateur Baseball

Amateur baseball, like any sport, entails some element of risk of catastrophic injury. However, the frequency of such catastrophic injuries is surprisingly low. To summarize, the overall rate of catastrophic injuries such as deaths and disabilities is only one per one million participants.

Our insurance clients, Dixie Youth Baseball and Dixie Boys / Majors Baseball,  participate in this study by completing a survey form on an annual basis that requires the reporting of any catastrophic injury. Other participating organizations include American Legion, Little League, Babe Ruth, PONY, NAIA, NCAA, National Baseball Congress, National Federation Of State High School Associations, National Junior College Athletic Association, National Association Of Police Athletic Leagues, AABC, Cape Cod Baseball, and NABF.

The final report includes eighteen years of data collection from 1989 through 2006. Participation numbers for that period of time included 82,687,876 amateur baseball players in 13 organizations. Catastrophic injuries for that same period of time included 39 fatalities, 26 disability injuries, and 30 injuries with complete recovery. The catastrophic injury rate for the eighteen years is 0.11 injuries per 100,000 participants or approximately one injury per 1,000,000 participants. This figure is very low. The eighteen year injury rate for fatalities was 0.05 per 100,000 participants, 0.03 for disability injuries, and 0.04 for serious or recovery injuries.

See Report by USA Baseball Medical And Safety Committee and National Center For Catastrophic Sports Injury Research: http://mlb.mlb.com/usa_baseball/article.jsp?story=medsafety12

Metal vs. Wood Bats In Baseball: Should Metal Bats Be Banned?

Do metal bats pose a significantly greater risk of injury to pitchers and infielders resulting from greater bat exit speeds and associated reduced reaction time? Is there enough scientific evidence to ban metal bats for youth and college baseball in favor of wood bats?

Current scientific studies do not support this conclusion as there is no increase in the trend of significant injuries that would cause the need for the banning of metal bats in favor of wood bats. However, the final results of an important ongoing study on this issue are not yet available.

In My Opinion: Politicians looking for publicity and personal injury attorneys looking for large settlements and jury verdicts say that metal bats should be banned in favor of wood bats based on anecdotal evidence. Instead, we must look to scientific studies for an answer and so far science tells us that there is little existing evidence that would support banning metal bats that are currently approved by the various governing bodies. However, it is possible that new research may result in future recommendations for bat standards that would require certain performace modifications. John Sadler

See USA Baseball Medical and Safety Committee Position Statement On Wood vs. Metal Bat: http://mlb.mlb.com/usa_baseball/article.jsp?story=medsafety10

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