Tuesday, April 26, 2011

How to Improve Baseball Safety for all Players

By Amirah Long


If all players remain aware of what's going on around them, baseball safety can be significantly increased. All players should have the right equipment and adhere to safety guidelines throughout the game. Safety principles should be enforced by managers and coaches so players are reminded of their importance. You can increase baseball safety by adhering to the practices we'll be discussing below.

Communication is an important part of safety in any sport. A fly ball, for example, can present a danger when outfielders aren't clear about who's going to get it. Players must be taught to call out when they're going for a ball, especially if other players are in the vicinity. Of course, confusion can still occur if two players both call for it at the same time, but at least then they'll be aware of each other's presence and can hopefully sort it out.

Bases are a danger few people know about. If a player slides into a stationary base too hard it's pretty easy to injure a leg or foot. A head, hand or arm injury is imminent for those who may slide headfirst into a stationary base. One solution to this is using breakaway bases, that are designed to come apart when someone slides into them. Under normal conditions the base will remain in place. If your league is not already implementing this safety feature you should suggest it. Aside from this, players should practice proper sliding techniques and be aware that bases can be dangerous.

Base running is an activity that can cause injuries if players don't know the proper techniques. Running around the bases is not always a straightforward task. To begin with, you don't run straight ahead, but around the shape of the infield, which can make it easier to trip or sprain something. There's also the fact of uncertainty, when the runner may hesitate and then speed up again, along with the potential for collisions with other players. Good base running is an essential skill, both for playing well and for staying safe during games. Of course, injuries can be minimized by players staying in good condition and running or other aerobic activity off the field. Good base running skills are something that every coach should instill in players, as this promotes safety, and it also helps in creating a winning team.

If safety guidelines are always followed, baseball can be enjoyed with far fewer injuries and problems. That's one of the responsibilities of coaches, especially when coaching kids' leagues, as younger players may have to be reminded to wear the right gear and follow safety guidelines. The unexpected can always occur, but the fact is, many baseball accidents are completely preventable if such simple principles are followed.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...