Don't let injuries keep your child in the dugout

Whether making a great throw, hitting the ball deep in the outfield or just simply running the bases, playing baseball and softball provides children hours of enjoyment.

While these sports are excellent forms of exercise, many preventable injuries occur in thousands of kids annually. That is why the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends children use caution when participating in youth baseball and softball.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 422,200 children under 19 were treated in hospitals, doctors' offices, clinics, ambulatory surgery centers and hospital emergency rooms for baseballand softball-related injuries in 2004. Common injuries include sprains, strains, contusions and fractures.

"The number of baseball and softball-related injuries has increased tremendously over the last several years," said James H. Beaty, MD, pediatric orthopaedic surgeon and first vice president of the AAOS. "While many factors can contribute to injuries, it's imperative that players and coaches follow appropriate safety guidelines and all players wear the correct protective gear. It's equally important that children rest their bones, joints and muscles by either cross-training or changing sports throughout the year to prevent one area from becoming stressed and overused."

The AAOS offers the following tips to help keep children off the injured list:

. Always make sure kids take time to warm up and stretch before and after play. Research studies have shown that cold muscles are more prone to injury.

. If a child is pitching, concentrate on stretching the arm and back muscles.

. If a child is catching, the focus should be on the legs and back.

. Children should not be encouraged to play through pain. It is important to take breaks if tired.

. Limit the number of teams a child is playing on in one season. Kids who play on more than one team are especially at risk for overuse injuries.

. Equipment should fit each player properly and be worn correctly.

. A batting helmet should be worn at the plate, when waiting for a turn at bat and when running bases.

. Facial protection devices attached to batting helmets should be worn by children, when available. These devices can help reduce the risk of a serious facial injury if hit by a ball.

. Players should wear molded baseball shoes with cleats that fit comfortably.

. Children need to wear the appropriate mitt for each position.

. Catchers should always wear a helmet, face mask, throat guard, long-model chest protector, protective supporter, a catcher's mitt and shin guards.

. While there is no concrete guideline for the number of pitches allowed, reasonable limits are 80 to 100 pitches in a game and 30 to 40 pitches in a single practice session, depending on the child's skeletal maturity, muscle strength and pitching techniques .

. To prevent sliding injuries, install breakaway bases on the playing field.

. Use an extra large first base to help avoid the runner stepping on the first baseman's foot.

. Inspect the playing field for holes, glass and other debris.

. Make sure kids replenish fluids during and after play.

Supervising adults should be prepared for emergency situations and have a plan to reach medical personnel to treat injuries such as concussions, dislocations, elbow contusions, wrist or finger sprains, and fractures.

For additional injury prevention tips and information on baseball and more, visit the academy's public and patient education Web site, Your Orthopaedic Connection (www.orthoinfo.org), or call the public service line at 800824-BONES.

An orthopaedic surgeon is a physician with extensive training in the diagnosis and non-surgical as well as surgical treatment of the musculoskeletal system, including bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles and nerves.