Softball Sport Injuries

Softball is a game of many rules, including those that regard safety. It is a dynamic sport, and players often get injured playing both defense and offense. The most common injuries, according to an article by Dawn Comstock, PhD, involve the shoulder, ankle, knee, and hand and finger. Wearing the proper equipment and taking precautions can prevent many softball injuries.

Shoulder Injuries

• Shoulder injuries are especially prominent in pitchers. From the constant rotation of the shoulder, pitching injuries range from tendinitis to major rotator cuff tearing. Proper warm-up and avoiding overuse of arm and shoulder muscles will lessen the chance of injury.

Sprains

• Sprains, especially ankle sprains, are common in the sport of softball. Ankle sprains often occur when a player runs and twists her foot, whether sprinting to a base or playing defense. An ankle sprain or even a fracture can also result from sliding into a base too hard, putting too much pressure on the bone. Ankle braces provide more stability when running, helping to prevent injury.

Hand and Finger Injuries

• Players can get finger injuries while fielding or improperly catching a softball. A batted softball is unpredictable, and it could bounce and hurt a player's unprotected, non-gloved hand. The gloved hand is not immune to hand injuries, especially for catchers when a pitcher throws hard. A more cushioned glove may help prevent these hand injuries.

Contusions

• Contusions (or bruises) can occur anywhere on the body in softball. They usually result from a softball hitting a part of the body, when the ball is hit by a batter, pitched or thrown. Contusions can also occur when a ball hits a player in the face. Players who collide in the field may obtain bruises and other injuries. Knowing where other players are on the field will lessen the chance of a dangerous collision.

Abrasions

• Players who slide into bases or dive for balls often experience abrasions (or scrapes), especially on their upper legs. If a player dives back to base, she may scrape her palms or elbows. A player who dives for a ball on defense may obtain an abrasion on her legs or arms. Players should wear sliders, a cushioned guard worn around the leg and on the knee to prevent abrasions. Slider shorts can be worn under uniform shorts; they have padding to allow for safer sliding into a base. Wearing batting gloves while on base will prevent abrasions on the palms.

Strained Muscles

• Like any physical activity, softball can cause strained muscles. A player's throwing arm may be strained if it is not properly warmed-up. A player might also strain her leg muscles when running. Stretching before a game or a practice is vitally important.