Baseball QUICKGuide
The experts at Summit Orthopedics provide baseball injury prevention tips in their QUICKGuide to prevent injuries and stay safe during the sport.
Protect pitchers
Shoulder and elbow overuse injuries in overhead throwing athletes are common. Enforcing the maximum pitch counts and teaching proper technique is something parents, coaches and athletes need to be vigilant about. Use the guide found at Stop Sports Injuries for maximum pitch counts, rest periods and age recommendations for various types of pitches.
http://www.stopsportsinjuries.org/baseball-injury-prevention.aspx
Pitchers should rotate to other positions with rest from live pitching (includes batting practice). Reinforcing good mechanics and technique can help avoid shoulder, elbow and rotator cuff injuries. Over the course of a year, pitchers should not be pitching over 100 innings.
Avoid the pitfalls of too much play
Athletes should not play one sport all-year round. Plan at least one season off (2-4 months), or have athletes play a different sport during that “off” season. Help players avoid injury by keeping them from playing on multiple teams with overlapping or concurrent seasons.
Condition well
Perhaps one of the most boring parts of an athlete’s life is conditioning, however conditioning both pre- and during the season helps reduce the incidence of injury.
Know when to slide
Wait until a child is 10 before teaching them to slide, and when beginning instruction, use only sliding bases (not even breakaway bases). Collisions from sliding are risky business for both the one runner and the one blocking the base. Both players have responsibilities here: the player in possession of the ball should not be obstructing the oncoming runner, and the runner should slide in such a way to avoid collision if at all possible.
Know the signs of a concussion
Parents, coaches and athletes should all learn the signs of concussion. If a concussion is suspected, the player should not return to play until released by a medical professional. Remember, you don’t have to lose consciousness to have a concussion. Safety equipment should fit properly and be worn correctly.
Summit Orthopedics offers comprehensive sports medicine expertise
From Olympians to pro athletes to kids in youth sports and those that just want to be more active—Summit Orthopedics delivers expert care by fellowship-trained sports medicine physicians. If you are recently injured or concerned about ongoing pain, Summit Orthopedics sports medicine specialists have the expertise to evaluate your discomfort and develop a plan to quickly and safely help you get back to being active.
Start your journey to stronger, healthier athletic condition. Find your sports medicine expert, request an appointment online, or call us at (651) 968–5201 to schedule a sports medicine consultation.
Summit has convenient locations across the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area, serving Minnesota and western Wisconsin. We have state-of-the-art centers for comprehensive orthopedic care in Eagan, MN, Vadnais Heights, MN, Plymouth, MN, and Woodbury, MN, as well as several additional community clinics.
More resources for you
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Phil Giesen, PT, MPT
The body is built for movement, not for being inactive. Be regularly active in something, whether it’s an athletic activity or going for walks or doing household projects — stay active!
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