Softball and baseball are our nation's leading recreational sports, with more than 40 million Americans playing organized softball and another 3 million participating in Little League, high school and college baseball. It is not surprising, therefore, that softball and baseball account for a large number of sports injuries, with softball players being the most frequently hurt. Since many of these injuries are serious enough to require emergency room treatment, the costs for medical care is estimated at more than $2 billion annually. This estimate does not include the hidden costs of lost work time, lower work productivity, restriction of future athletic activity, medical-legal services, permanent impairment and escalating insurance premiums for the injured player, his or her employer, the field owner and the softball or baseball league.
Injuries occur while sliding into bases, these mishaps and their resulting costs could be significantly lowered by installing breakaway bases on all playing fields. A study conducted at the University of Michigan found that using breakaway bases in recreational softball games reduced sliding injuries by 98 percent and associated medical care costs by 99 percent. The federal government has recommended the installation of breakaway bases on playing fields at all military installations and federal prisons. A traditional stationary base bolted to a metal post and sunk into the ground becomes a rigid obstacle for an athlete to encounter while sliding. In contrast, a breakaway base is snapped onto grommets attached to an anchored rubber mat which holds it in place during normal play. Although it can be dislodged by a sliding runner, the breakaway base is stable and will not detach during normal base running.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons believes the deployment of breakaway bases at all levels of baseball and softball could dramatically reduce injuries to athletes and therefore reduce health care costs. The Academy recommends that breakaway bases be installed on all playing fields and further recommends that physicians involved with sports activities around the country actively promote the use of breakaway bases in their local community.
© May 1997 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
This material may not be modified without the express written permission of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Document Number: 1140
For additional information, contact Alvin Nagelberg at (847) 384-4138 or email nagelberg@mac.aaos.org