Softball Helmet

Teaching sports safety is the number one responsibility of any good coach or parent. Children need to learn to practice good safety in every sport. The great sport of baseball is no different. Baseball and softball are among the most popular sports in the United States. In the United States there are over 6 million athletes from the ages of 6-15 playing organized baseball and softball. There are over 15 million playing on non organized teams. In 2005 there were an estimate of 175,000 children treated in hospital emergency rooms for baseball and softball related injuries.

Baseball pitching machines are a very safe product to use. The key is to use them properly. I have been to many of practices and watch untrained coaches and players use equipment and get hurt. Here are 5 key tips to reduce of chance of injury when using a pitching machine.

1. Make sure that an adult is always present. There is something to be said about good adult supervision. We as adults are supposed to be older and wiser. Everyone can remember being a kid and all the goofing around that we did. When we were kids we thought we were invincible. Coaches and parents look for hidden dangers. If you see something, point it out to the player. It is always better to be safe than sorry.

2. Protective gear such as batting helmets. Batting helmets are a necessary product to help prevent or lessen the chance of head or facial injuries. Please make sure that the helmet properly fits each player. Chin straps are good to keep the helmet in place. Face guards will also help eliminate facial injuries.

3. Dry baseballs are also a key for a pitching machine. Balls that become wet by rain or the morning dew can play havoc. Wild pitches are soon to follow. Make sure that the machine and baseballs are dry before use. Keep mind that a good solution is pitching machine baseballs. They are designed not to absorb moisture. The pitching machine baseballs will give a batter a consistent pitch every time.

4. Common sense will take players a long way. Keep a player focused. Teach the player about what to do if the ball is coming at them. Teach them proper technique about how to get out of the way of a wild pitch.

5. Have a plan. Make sure you know what to do if an injury occurs. Have a properly stocked first aid kit and always have a cell phone close by in case of an emergency.

I only bring this up next item because I have actually seen this happen first hand . While I was watching an away game I glanced over at a young athlete in a batting cage waiting to play the next game. He was not paying attention and he got hit in the high cheekbone area, fracturing the side of his face. It was absolutely horrible. I know that it could have been prevented if only proper precautions would have been taken. No matter what the age of the athlete is, stay out of the hospital emergency room and stay on the baseball field. Always pitch safety first.

Coach Chuck Stewart operates a baseball web site offering pitching machines and batting cages, training aids and coaching/instructional videos along with lots of free coaching content. Coach Chuck offers a pitching machine for every skill level and budget. He has coached baseball teams for 8 years and enjoys sharing the love of the game of baseball with his players.

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