With Little League season coming up, it’s time to get your little slugger ready to take the field. As with any sport, it is important to make sure your child is safe when they hit that field.
It may sound pretty common sense, but one of the most important rules in baseball safety is to always keep your eyes on the ball. As the mantra of pretty much every coach in sports history, this will not only make your child a more accurate player, but also keep them safe. The majority of injuries in little league are caused by being hit by the ball. Being hit by a ball can cause bruises, contusions, concussions and even more severe injuries.
Besides always being aware on the field, it is important to make sure your child has all of the protective gear required. Depending on the position of the player, make sure your child is wearing a helmet (when batting or preparing to bat), proper gloves and catching mitt and an athletic cup. In most legitimate leagues, there are rules that prohibit a child from playing without proper protection. Still, make sure your child has access to high-quality protection.
It is important to talk to your child about the importance of baseball Safety practices while playing. In fact, the Little League Association has created ASAP (A Safety Awareness Program). The program is to help coaches, players and parents to understand how to keep everyone in the organization safe.
The organization recommends having professionals come in and talk to players and parents before the start of the season. Holding a Baseball Safety mini-camp could be the best solution. An example of an informational session could be a sports trainer teaching about proper stretching techniques to prevent injuries.
There are also certain parts of the game that should be practiced to make sure they are done safely. One common part of the game that can easily result in injury is sliding. it is important to teach your players how to properly slide to a base. A good way to see if your child is sliding right is to have them practice sliding in the grass. See where the grass stains are. Many think that it is good to slide with the leg, but in reality you should be sliding on your bottom. The front leading leg should be bent and hands should not be on the ground, but above the head. It is also helpful to have them wear sliding pants under their pants to protect from cuts and scrape. Another important lesson that should be taught to you little league players is proper bat handling. Teach your player to always be confident and aware while in the batter box.
Excessive pitching is also another issue that parents need to be cautious about. This repetitive motion can be hard on young, developing arms. The Little League Association and the American Sports Medicine Institute have recommended certain guidelines of the maximum pitches that should be thrown in relation to the player’s age. Teach your child to notify you if they experience any pain, especially in their pitching arm. All throwing motions should be stopped until pain has gone away.
The most important thing that a parent or coach can do to make sure that their players will be safe is to work together. Educate your team and stay in constant contact. Remember to put baseball safety, sportsmanship and hard work first and a successful season will follow.
Order custom trading pins all season! Free shipping and artwork. Send us your ideas and we’ll bring them to life!
The post Baseball is Around The Corner – Here’s Some Safety Tips For Your Little Slugger appeared first on .
