Softball safety basics for parents

Why softball safety is mostly common sense

Most injuries in youth sports can be reduced by being prepared and paying attention, and softball is no exception. Softball is a safe, healthy sport for most kids, and a handful of simple habits make it safer still. The ball is hard and thrown or hit quickly, so the main idea is to protect heads and faces, keep fields clear and let bodies warm up and rest. This guide covers general safety basics only. It is not medical advice, and a doctor or athletic trainer is the right person for any injury or health question.

Gear that protects

Protective gear does its job only when it fits and is worn correctly. Here is what most youth programs use or consider:

• Batting helmets are worn when batting and running the bases, with a face guard or cage if your league requires it. Helmets should fit snugly and be worn as designed. See the equipment checklist.
• Catcher's gear usually includes a helmet and mask, chest protector and shin guards. Catchers should never go without it.
• Face protection for fielders is required or encouraged in some leagues, especially for pitchers and corner infielders. Ask your league.
• Cleats and shoes that fit and are allowed by your league. Some leagues restrict certain types.
• Gloves that fit, so the player can catch confidently. See how to choose a softball glove.

Gear rules vary by league and level, so ask what is required and what is recommended. Replace gear that is cracked, worn out or no longer fits, and do not borrow protective gear that does not fit your child.

Warming up and cooling down

Skipping warm-ups is a common shortcut when a team is running late, and it is worth resisting. A good warm-up gets muscles ready to move and tells the body that activity is starting. A typical team warm-up mixes light jogging, easy stretches and gradual throwing. Players should not start with full-speed throws or sprints. After games and practices, a short cooldown, water and rest help the body recover. Ask your coach to explain what the team does, and encourage your daughter to join in every time.

Protecting arms and shoulders

Throwing and pitching are repetitive, and young arms need rest. Rules on how much a young pitcher may pitch vary by league, so ask what your league uses. A few general ideas apply everywhere:

• Throw gradually, starting easy and building up.
• Use good form, and ask a coach to check it. Poor mechanics can add stress to the arm.
• Count throws in practice as well as in games, since all of it adds up.
• Do not ignore pain. If an arm, shoulder or elbow hurts, the player should stop and tell a coach, parent and doctor or athletic trainer.
• Take regular breaks from throwing, and rest days are part of training.
• Play different positions and sports so that no single motion is overused.

Field and play safety

Many softball injuries are from simple things, such as a ball hit near an unaware player, or a collision on a pop-up. A little awareness prevents most of them.

• Check the field before play for holes, loose rocks, wet spots and debris.
• Keep bats and loose gear out of walkways and out of the way of runners.
• Make sure the on-deck hitter and players waiting have enough space from the batter.
• Teach players to call for fly balls so fielders do not collide.
• Teach safe sliding if your league allows it, and ask your coach how it is taught. Some leagues limit sliding at younger levels.
• Stay behind fences and screens as a spectator, and keep eyes on the ball.

Heat, hydration and weather

Dehydration and heat can sneak up on kids who are focused on the game. Offer water often and encourage breaks in the shade. Hot days are hard on players. Make sure your child has water, shade breaks and sun protection, and let the coach know if she feels dizzy, sick or unusually tired. Follow your league's weather policies, including those for lightning, and listen to officials when they pause play. In cold or wet conditions, extra layers between innings help.

When a player is hurt

Young players sometimes hide pain because they do not want to let the team down, so make it clear that telling a coach is the brave choice. If a player is injured, she should stop playing immediately and a coach, doctor or athletic trainer should decide what happens next. Do not tell a child to walk it off, and do not guess at what is safe. This is especially true for any blow to the head. A player who may have been hurt should be removed and checked, and she should return only when a qualified person says it is okay. Return-to-play rules vary and should come from a medical professional and your league, not from this article.

A safe culture

The best safety tool is a team where nobody is afraid to speak up. Coaches who stop practice to fix a problem, players who tell the truth about pain and parents who back them up all make the sport safer. Safety is also about attitude. Players should feel free to say when something hurts, and coaches should respect that. Parents can help by reading softball sportsmanship for parents, asking about policies and not pressuring a hurt child to play.

A quick pre-game safety check

1. Is every player's helmet snug, undamaged and worn correctly when batting and running?
2. Is the catcher fully equipped, with every strap secure?
3. Is the field clear of holes, debris and loose equipment?
4. Are bats and gear stored away from the bench area and walkways?
5. Does the team have water, shade and a plan for weather?
6. Does an adult know where the first-aid kit is and how to reach help if someone is hurt?

What to ask your coach or league about safety

• What gear is required, and who checks that it fits?
• Who is responsible for first aid at games, and what is the emergency plan at this field?
• What is the policy for lightning or hot weather?
• How does the team protect young pitchers and catchers from doing too much?
• Where should families sit or stand to stay clear of foul balls?

Good habits at home help too. Read how to prepare for softball season for ideas on easy, low-pressure practice, and the game-day checklist for parents for what to pack.

Sources and further reading

1. Baseball and Softball HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics)
2. Safety Tips: Fastpitch Softball (for Teens) KidsHealth (Nemours)
3. Appendix B - Safety Code for Little League Little League International
4. Tips to Prevent Sports Injuries in Children & Teens HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics)

Links open in a new tab. Quotations are short excerpts, included with attribution for commentary. BlackForge Sports is not affiliated with or endorsed by the people or organizations named.

Frequently asked questions

What safety gear does a softball player need?

At minimum a properly fitted batting helmet, and catchers need a full set of catcher's gear. Face protection for fielders varies by league, so ask.

Do softball pitchers need face protection?

Some leagues require or encourage it, especially at younger ages. Ask your league what it expects.

How can parents help prevent arm injuries?

Encourage gradual throwing, rest days and playing other positions or sports, and never ignore arm pain. Follow your league's pitching limits.

What should I do if my child is hurt in a game?

Stop play, tell the coach and have a coach, doctor or athletic trainer decide what happens next. Do not let her return until a qualified person says it is okay.

Is softball dangerous?

It is a safe sport for most kids when proper gear, warm-ups and supervision are in place, though no sport is risk free.