Recreational Softball Research Articles

Sliding Injuries in College and Professional Baseball—A Prospective Study Comparing Standard and Break-Away Bases

Abstract: Over 40 million individuals nationally participate in organized softball and baseball leagues playing an estimated 23 million games a year in the United States. It has also been estimated that softball and baseball injuries are two of the leading sports-related causes of Emergency Room visits in the United States. Previous studies have elucidated that sliding is responsible for over 70% of all recreational softball injuries. In addition, break-away bases which have been utilized in recreational softball leagues have resulted in 98% reduction in injuries and a 99% reduction in acute health care costs. An independent analysis has determined that the utilization of break-away bases has the potential of preventing 1.7 million injuries a year in the United States with a savings of $2 billion a year nationally in health care costs. To date, utilization of break-away bases has not been explored within the highest echelon of competitive baseball. In this study, 19 teams within the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and professional minor league baseball utilized breakaway bases for two consecutive seasons. Four hundred ninety-eight games were played on stationary bases and ten sliding-related injuries were documented. Of the ten injuries, three injuries were sustained to the knee and seven injuries to the ankle. The same teams played 486 games on break-away bases with two sliding-related injuries. Therefore, one injury was documented every 243 games on break-away bases, which translates into 0.41 injuries every 100 games on break-away bases. In regard to the stationary base injuries, one injury occurred every 49.8 games which translates into 2.01 injuries every 100 games. Therefore, an 80% reduction (p < 0.05) was noted in the high-performance baseball population utilizing break-away bases. The use of break-away bases decreases the number and severity of baseball- and softball-related injuries, both at the recreational level and the high-performance level. Break-away bases are cost effective and safer than standard stationary bases. In the recreational and high-performance baseball populations, the use of break-away bases should be mandatory.

Softball injuries. Aetiology and prevention.

Over 40 million individuals nationally participate in organised softball leagues, playing an estimated 23 million games per year in the United States. It has also been estimated that softball causes more injuries leading to emergency room visits in the United States than any other sport. Between 1983 and 1989, over 2.6 million injuries were documented through selected emergency rooms throughout the United States. In addition, the potential costs of these injuries can be staggering, therefore, prevention is of utmost importance. Prior to implementation of any preventative measures, the aetiology and distribution of injuries must be ascertained. Softball-related injuries can be grouped into 3 categories: (a) sliding-related injuries--the most common injury scenario; (b) collision-related injuries; and (c) falls sustained by the player. Various preventative approaches have been utilised to reduce the incidence of these recreational sports injuries and the associated health care costs. In regard to sliding-related injuries, breakaway bases have been utilised and have been found to reduce sliding-related injuries by approximately 98%. In reference to collision injuries, deformable walls and padded back stops and field maintenance have been found to prevent the majority of injuries secondary to collisions and falls. In addition, better coaching techniques as well as stretching and conditioning programmes have all been found to benefit players in the prevention of their injuries. As physicians, trainers and individuals involved with sporting activities, it is imperative that we turn and focus our attention on prevention. The cornerstone to diminished injuries and subsequent prevention of an injury is a safer environment for the recreational softball player to participate in.

A three-phase analysis of the prevention of recreational softball injuries

Recreational sports injuries are expensive to society. Prevention of such injuries must be a major public health goal. In a previous retrospective study, base sliding was found to be responsible for 71% of recreational softball injuries. Because most injuries occurred during rapid deceleration against stationary bases, quick-release (break-away) bases were evaluated as a means to modify this mechanism of injury. In a prospective study, 633 softball games were played on a break-away base fields and 627 games were played on stationary base fields. Forty-five sliding injuries occurred on the stationary base diamonds (1 injury for every 13.9 games) and only two sliding injuries occurred on the break-away fields (1 injury for every 316.5 games). The medical costs for injuries on the stationary base fields was 79 times greater than that on the break-away fields. In a 1035 game follow-up study performed on all fields equipped with break-away bases, two sliding injuries occurred (1 injury for every 517.5 games). Installing break-away bases in fields used by recreational leagues would achieve a significant reduction of serious softball injuries (98%) and, therefore, should be mandatory. Based on our findings, the Centers for Disease Control has estimated 1.7 million injuries would be prevented nationally per year, saving $2.0 billion per year nationally in acute medical care costs.

Softball sliding injuries. A prospective study comparing standard and modified bases.

In a previous retrospective study, base sliding was found to be responsible for 71% of recreational softball injuries. As most injuries occurred following rapid deceleration impact against stationary bases, quick-release (breakaway) bases were evaluated as a means to modify this mechanism of injury. Six hundred thirty-three softball games were played on breakaway-base fields and 627 games were played on stationary-base fields. Forty-five sliding injuries (7%) occurred on the stationary-base diamonds and only two sliding injuries (less than 1%) occurred on the breakaway-base fields. Implementing the use of breakaway bases in recreational softball leagues could potentially achieve a significant, cost-effective reduction of injuries.

Softball Sliding Injuries

In a previous retrospective study, base sliding was found to be responsible for 71% of recreational softball injuries. As most injuries occurred following rapid deceleration impact against stationary bases, quick-release (breakaway) bases were evaluated as a means to modify this mechanism of injury. Six hundred thirty-three softball games were played on breakaway-base fields and 627 games were played on stationary-base fields. Forty-five sliding injuries (7%) occurred on the stationary-base diamonds and only two sliding injuries (&lt;1%) occurred on the breakaway-base fields. Implementing the use of breakaway bases in recreational softball leagues could potentially achieve a significant, cost-effective reduction of injuries. (<i>JAMA</i>1988;259:1848-1850)

Is a diamond forever? Feminist transformations of sport

This paper focuses on how individuals and groups overcome the hegemonic grasp of alienating ideologies and institute social practices which have authentic meaning in their lives. Specifically, the paper investigates how women who define themselves as feminists actively construct and maintain alternatives to the male preserve of sport. The analysis is based on data drawn from intensive interviews and observations collected over a four year period of a women's summer recreational softball league. The sample was a purposive one: women who define themselves as feminists were purposely sought out and interviewed about their feminist attitudes, their attitudes toward sport and softball, and the relationship they saw between a feminist consciousness and the practice of sport. Several themes emerged as central issues in their complaints: the overemphasis on winning; the hierarchy of authority; the elitism of skill; the exclusivity represented by sexism, classism, racism, ageism, sizism, and heterosexism; the disparagement of opponents; and an ethic of endangerment. These criticisms serve as a blueprint for the changes they were putting into practice: a form of softball which is process oriented, collective, inclusive, supportive, and infused with an ethic of care. The analysis draws upon feminist theory, interactionist principles, and cultural studies approaches to explore the ways in which individuals can actively resist inimical social practices and create, maintain, and inhabit social worlds that fit their own needs.

Recreational softball injuries

Every patient who presented to an urban teaching hospital's emergency department during one season complaining of an injury sustained while playing softball was interviewed to determine the parameters of play associated with the injury. Trends were noticed toward increased frequency of injury to experienced players late in the season. A fall was the most common mechanism of injury, and player location at the time of injury was equally divided between the basepath and defense. Very few players were injured at bat. No conclusion could be drawn about the protection afforded a player from the use of a mitt or cleats. The relative rate of injury was estimated to be 2.26 injuries per 1,000 players per day, making the risk of injury for softball participants about 50% of that for recreational skiers.