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.

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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