This research included a national survey of injuries in Little League Baseball and of safety equipment used in same.
Purpose: To link Little League injury data to the equipment data collected from the Little League in the summer of 1997. As a result, to be able to recommend using or not using a batter's face mask, batter chest protector, break away bases, and the soft baseball would be useful.
Discussion: Compliance with the survey was good and the survey achieved an excellent response rate (94%). Use of modified bases is widespread, with approximately one-half of leagues using them in the senior divisions and about two-thirds using them in the junior divisions. Using the face guard was not common, with about one-quarter of leagues using them in the Little League division. Modified balls were widely used in the Tee-ball and challenges divisions, but usage in all other divisions was low (typically less than 5% of leagues).
Previous research indicates that the most common cause of injury in youth baseball is contact with the ball, with fewer injuries associated with contact with the base. Sporting goods manufacturers currently market a wide range of baseball and softball safety equipment and youth baseball leagues exhibit considerable interest in adopting new safety equipment.
Summary: It would be extremely useful for leagues, teams, parents and players to know which safety equipment options are the most functional, most cost-effective, and have the highest compliance rating. The second phase of this research will compare injury to those leagues which are non-users.
Funded by Major League Baseball through a grant to USA Baseball.
Mueller, Frederick O., Ph.D., and Robert Cantu, MD. Annual Survey of Catastrophic Football Injuries, 1931-1997.
The 1997 Annual Survey of Catastrophic Football Injuries was part of a concerted by many individuals and research organizations to reduce the incidence of football head and neck injuries. "Catastrophic injuries" were defined as football injuries which resulted in brain or spinal cord injury or skull or spinal fracture. Investigations included injuries in high school, college and professional football.
Summary:
- During the 1997 football season, there was a total of nine cervical cord injuries with
incomplete neurological recovery. Seven of the injuries occurred in high school, one at the
college level, and one at the professional level.
- The incidence of catastrophic injuries is very low, approximately 0.50 per 100,000
participants.
- A majority of catastrophic spinal cord injuries occur in games.
- Tackling and blocking have been associated with the majority of catastrophic football
injuries.
- A majority of the catastrophic football injuries occur while playing defensive football
(five of nine in 1997).
- During 1997 there were eight subdural hematoma injuries which resulted in incomplete
recovery (seven in high school, one at college level).
- In 1997, there were also twelve injuries that involved either a head or neck injury, but
the athlete had full neurological recovery. High school athletes were associated with five
cervical vertebra fractures, and four subdural hematomas. College athletes were associated with
one cervical spine contusion, one transient cord symptom, and one herniated cervical disk.
- Defensive backs were injured at a higher rate than other positions.
- The 1976 rule change that eliminated the head as the initial point of contact during blocking
and tackling.
- Improved medical care, both at the game site and in medical facilities.
- Improved coaching techniques in teaching the fundamentals of tackling and blocking.
- The increased concern and awareness of football coaches in preventing catastrophic injuries.
- All coaches, physicians and trainers should take special care to see that players' equipment is
properly fitted, particularly the helmet.
- Football officials should concentrate on helmet-face mask contact and call the penalty.
This research was funded by a grant from the National Collegiate Athletic Association.