Spring Training: How To Prevent Baseball And Softball Injuries In Youth Sports

Spring is in full swing and that means baseball and softball season is upon us. While the excitement of the game, and the busy schedules that come with it, might be top of mind for young athletes, it’s the right time to remind them about the importance of injury prevention.

Although baseball and softball aren’t contact sports, several common injuries can arise for youth athletes, often stemming from overuse of muscles and ligaments, improper stretching, or accidents that can lead to sprains, fractures, and concussions.

Here, we’ll share some of the most common baseball and softball injuries to look out for and how to prevent them.

Common Youth Baseball/Softball Sports Injuries

Overuse injuries

Throwing, pitching, swinging a bat, and running are all part of the game, but when done excessively, can lead to overuse injuries. These conditions are caused by repetitive movements without enough warm-up or rest, and often affect shoulders, elbows, arms, knees, or ankles. 

Two specific overuse injuries to watch for are Little League Elbow, which affects pitchers by causing pain in the inner side of the elbow, and Little League Shoulder, caused by stress to the arm bone nearest to the shoulder, causing a widening of its growth plate. This results in swelling and pain at the shoulder.

Learn more about various Pediatric Overuse Injuries in our ultimate guide, here. 

Sprains and strains

Sprains and strains are two of the most common injuries kids can get while playing sports. A sprain happens when a ligament gets stretched or torn, while a strain happens when a muscle or tendon gets hurt, but either typically happens during activities that involve quick moves, sharp turns, or pushing yourself too hard.

Fractures 

From high-speed pitches gone wrong to line-drives when an outfielder isn’t paying attention, fractures can occur in a split second during a game. Broken bones commonly occur in the hands or wrists, but can occur from the ankles to the face if proper precautions aren’t in place.

Concussions 

From a fly ball not caught properly to a batter not wearing a helmet during practice, and especially for catchers not wearing the proper protective gear, serious head injuries can occur during the game. 

Baseball and Softball Injury Prevention

Remind your young athlete about the importance of safety.

• Always warm up before practice or a game. Stretch, run, throw, hit, and stay hydrated.
• Consider a physical exam prior to joining a team.
• Always wear the proper safety gear, including cleats, helmets, undergarments, and padding for catchers.
• Ensure fields are free of safety hazards and are in optimal playing condition.
• Prevent overuse injuries by switching out pitchers, by cross-training, and by not playing year-round.

If pain does begin to occur from an overuse injury, see a sports medicine specialist.

If you’re in the Los Angeles area, we recommend an appointment with our Sports Medicine team. 

We specialize in helping young athletes get back in the game, whether that’s team sports like soccer or football, individual sports like skateboarding or gymnastics, or PE class in school. Our team of experts tailor treatments to each child’s unique needs, addressing all aspects of our patients’ journey to recovery.

Take a virtual tour of our Center for Sports Medicine.