The practice of baseball safety is the key to helping prevent major injury to your child. The game of baseball has been around for many years and it continues to be a very popular sport with both children and adults, alike. Children start playing the game as young as the age of two years old and it is very important that parents learn baseball safety tips before their child even picks up a bat or baseball.
Each year in the sport of baseball there are a vast amount of injuries in both children and adults, therefore it is vital for parents and coaches to teach their children the practice of safety techniques and provide them with protective safety gear. There are safety requirements along with basic safety tips that every parent should know.
Physical Exam
Before entering into a competitive sport such as baseball, the child should first see a doctor for a physical exam. The doctor will let you know if there are any health problems that could give your child an extra risk for injury.
Protective Safety Gear
A helmet along with a face guard or safety goggles should be worn at all times when batting, waiting to bat or running bases. Shoes with molded cleats should be used as steel spikes are not recommended, for they can be a potential safety hazard. Catchers should wear a catcher’s mitt, face mask, throat guard, long chest protector and shin guards.
Protective safety gear is required at every practice and game, but it is important to be make sure the coach practices the use of the correct safety gear. You should also teach your child about the importance of safety gear and work on getting him into the habit of remembering to wear it, even when he is just playing the game with his friends.
Safety Tips
Encourage your child’s league to use breakaway bases to prevent ankle and knee injuries, plus you can further avoid base injuries by making sure your child’s coach teaches him the correct way of sliding.
All players should stretch and warm up before playing and pitchers should have mandated rest times during games. There are rules about the amount of time that a pitcher can pitch in each game.
First aid should be available at all times during practice or a game, but if your child is seriously injured he should see a doctor immediately.
Baseball leagues can be a fun and positive learning experience for a child when safety is put first. Not only will these Baseball safety tips help to keep your child safe during the game of baseball, they will introduce him to a practice of safety that he will carry with him through adulthood.
