Saturday, April 9, 2011

Baseball Safety Strategies for Amateur Players

By Robert Nelson


In order to maximize baseball safety, coaches, managers and players alike must abide by certain guidelines and be attentive at all times. Safe practices on the field should be stressed during both practices and games. Coaches should be vigilant and keep a close watch on the field and make sure everyone is playing safely and responsibly.

Baseball is not the only sport where safety must be priority one but it is the one we'll discuss here. Some players, coaches and parents underestimate how dangerous baseball can be.

The player who requires the most safety gear is the catcher. It is very crucial that the catcher always wears it. There is a chance that the catcher can be hit by a ball at any time. So, the most vulnerable parts of the body must be protected. This includes a helmet, face mask, chest protector and the proper glove. The catcher's mask should also have a throat protector attached to it. This is because a incoming pitch to throat can be very deadly. Even though all team players must be familiar with safety, the catcher has the most dangerous position on the team and has to pay special attention to safety. Catchers have to be cautious not only because of balls that are thrown but also because they are standing directly behind the batters too. More than any other player, the catcher has to be alert at all times.

Coaches first need to be completely aware of players conditions or injuries that existed prior to play. For example if a player has an injury that hasn't had enough time to completely heal you won't want them making the injury worse by continuing to play while injured. Similarly you'll want to be sure that you don't wait to check on injuries sustained during game play. Some players will try to put up a brave front and act like they aren't badly hurt, but coaches or managers have to use their best judgment and decide if medical attention should be sought. Most usually a sprained ankle or shoulder injury is only exacerbated by continuing to play.

A good warm-up before the game is a simple way to reduce the chances of injuries on the field. Everyone should stretch before a game, which is really true of any sport or physical activity.

Warming up and stretching is important to do before all practice sessions or games. Players should also be reminded of the importance of staying in good shape all year long. While players in contact sports are usually aware of the importance of conditioning, it's also something baseball players need to be aware of. If players are encouraged to stay as fit and healthy as possible, there will be fewer injuries during games.

The damaging effect of the sun is something that ball players should always be aware of. It will not be in the same position during the whole game. When sun gets in their eyes, players should remember to be careful when running bases or trying to get the ball. This is one of the unplanned things that players have to be able to handle.

Footwear is critical in all sports, baseball included, so it's important for players to wear the right type of shoes. Players should have baseball shoes, not cheap or worn out sneakers. Whether you're playing the infield or outfield, or sliding into a base, your shoes can make a real difference. You can't always predict how the ground will be, as you may play at home one day and away the next, or on a muddy field one day and a dry one the next. Many accidents, sprains and other injuries can be prevented by wearing high quality athletic shoes. Players who are serious about baseball should get cleats or baseball shoes that are well made and fit well.

Baseball will always have a lasting appeal. By using these simple safety rules, players can play the game with reduced chances of getting injured. You cannot always tell when something will terribly go wrong.

In conclusion, baseball can be a safe sport if basic guidelines and rules of common sense are followed. Prevention is key to avoiding as many injuries and accidents in baseball as you can which is possible with the information you've learned here.




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