Monday, July 18, 2011

Tips for Playing Baseball without Getting Hurt

By Athena Hunter


In any sport, safety should be a priority, and this holds true for baseball as much as any other sport. Many players, coaches and parents will underestimate the degree of danger posed with playing baseball. While contact sports such as hockey and football are considered dangerous, players wear a great deal of protective gear, while in baseball, many such precautions are not followed. Yet in a game where a hard ball is thrown at high speeds, and heavy bats are being swung, safety is definitely something that has to be kept in mind.

Sometimes players can be much safer simply by talking to each other at crucial times. For example, players in the field must be taught to be clear about communicating when a pop up or fly ball comes their way. It's standard practice for fielder to call out, "I've got it!" or something similar, and this is essential to avoid collisions. 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.

A good warm-up before the game is a simple way to reduce the chances of injuries on the field. Simply by stretching before a game allows everyone to be better prepared to play safely.

Athletes should also do regular cardio exercises to maintain a high level of fitness. Working out prior to games or practices keeps everyone safer and healthier. Players who are in top condition physically will not only play better, but they're much less likely to get injured. It would be wrong to conclude that staying fit isn't as essential in baseball as with more obviously physical sports such as football or basketball. While accidents can always occur, a high level of fitness can prevent many injuries.

Regular aerobic type workouts are also good to keep everyone in top condition. Workouts get players properly warmed up and prepared for the kind of movements they have to make when playing the game. As a parent or coach, you should also encourage players to maintain a high level of physical fitness at all times. Some people don't consider conditioning in baseball to be as important as other sports, but this is a mistake. If players are encouraged to stay as fit and healthy as possible, there will be fewer injuries during games.

When playing in extreme heat it's important to stay well hydrated. Most activity will make a person thirsty but when you're in the heat of a game you may not think to drink more especially for young players. During extremely warm weather, it's possible for even healthy players to suffer from heat exhaustion or sunstroke. There are of course times when too much heat should be a sensible reason for cancelling a game. If you have younger players on your team use common sense to make the call in hot weather situations. Hydration too is critical in the heat and in any weather. Baseball has a never ending appeal. By listening to these few tips, players will have a reduced probability of having any accidents. You do not have the power to predict when things will go wrong. If players wear the right gear and abide by the rules, then baseball will become much safer.




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