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The major leagues formed in 1871, and the modern
era began in 1903 when the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the
Boston Red Sox in the first World Series. Since then,
Americans fill ballparks on hot summer nights, and watch
autumn's pennant races and championship playoffs culminate
in the ultimate showdown between the best American and
National league teams.
More than following big league baseball, we all want to
play the game ourselves--to hear the crack of a base hit,
execute an around-the-horn double play, or shag a
screaming liner. But like all vigorous exercise, baseball
and softball should be played sensibly and safely.
Improper preparation and technique can lead to injury,
especially to the lower extremities, which take us around
the bases and under fly balls.
Before
the First Pitch
Most
American kids begin playing organized baseball at age 6 or
7. If a child is in generally good health and has no
preexisting physically compromising conditions, baseball
is relatively safe with proper instruction in the game's
fundamentals.
Weekend warriors who pick up the sport again in adulthood
are less apt to be in optimum condition than younger
athletes, and should take it slow before jumping right
into a game. Anyone who is more than 40 years old,
diabetic, a smoker, or has any physical disability should
see a family physician before taking the field. People
with existing foot problems should see a podiatric
physician specializing in sports medicine, who can perform
a gait analysis and assess any risk inherent in a sports
regimen.
Because baseball and softball involve quick starts and
stops, it's important to loosen up before the game. Even
the youngest children should make sure to do some simple
stretching, running and playing catch before the game to
avoid muscle pulls or other problems.
Before playing pickup games, make sure the field is free
of hazards like holes on the base path, which could cause
a foot or ankle injury. Sticks, rocks, and other debris on
the field cause players to trip, risking injuries, and
should be removed.
Shoeing
Up for Baseball
For children
under the age of 10, sneakers will suffice for baseball,
although kids probably will pine for cleats long before
that. There's no real danger in them wearing cleats, but
they should be gradually introduced before being worn in a
game. A young player needs to get a feel for cleats, which
should not be worn off the field.
While the improved traction of cleats may enhance play, it
also leaves the ankle more susceptible to twists and
turns. Any child with preexisting foot conditions should
see a podiatric physician before putting on cleats. Never
put a child in hand-me-downs; ill-fitting cleats increase
the danger of ankle injuries. When sizing cleats, make
sure the feet are measured by a footwear technician, and
always wear a game-size sock when trying them on.
In some competitive baseball leagues, the use of metal
spikes is permitted for players more than 13 years old.
Spikes must be understood as dangerous weapons on the base
paths; they require a certain level of maturity to be worn
safely. They are not necessary for casual play, and should
not be worn unless in league competition.
Spikes, which technology has made lighter and more
flexible these days, perform the same function as cleats,
but engage the ground differently. They too should be worn
on a limited basis until the feel of how they engage the
turf is understood. Unfamiliarity with spikes can lead to
ankle twists and turns in a competitive situation.
When wearing cleats or spikes for the first time, watch
for irritation, blisters, or redness, which could indicate
a biomechancial problem in the legs or feet. Pain is a
clear indicator of a problem. If cleats cause pain,
discontinue wear for two to three days; if it returns, see
a podiatric physician specializing in sports medicine for
evaluation.
Preventing Baseball Injuries
One of
baseball's most exciting moments comes when a batter
stretches a single into a double by beating the tag in a
dust-kicking slide. Sliding is a fun part of the game at
all levels, but proper technique is crucial to avoiding
foot and ankle injuries, especially when bases are firmly
secured to the infield. Coaches at all levels should make
sure their players are well schooled in proper sliding.
Careless slides can result in sprains and even fractures
of the lower leg and feet.
Pitchers also need to be coached on the proper way to come
off an elevated mound with their back foot and land on an
incline with the front foot. The repetitive motion of
pitching can lead to overuse injuries to the feet and
ankles. Pitchers experiencing pain in their windup should
take a few days off before returning to the mound.
Catchers too are susceptible to overuse injuries by
squatting behind home plate for every pitch. Again,
coaches should teach their catchers how to alter their
stance to vary weight displacement.
Lower
Extremity Injuries and Treatment
Contusions.
A baseball will inevitably make contact with a player's
foot and ankle, whether it's a pitched ball, foul tip, or
line drive, and sliding base runners often run headlong
into a infielder's legs. Usually this contact results in
contusions, which are not often serious injuries. Ice
packs and a few days' rest will usually help the
contusions, or bruises, feel better.
Sprains and fractures. Stretched or torn ligaments,
known as sprains, can occur from running the bases, or
pivoting to make a play. Sprains may cause extensive
swelling around the ankle just like a fracture. Immediate
treatment from a podiatric physician is crucial to quick
healing. Fractures, where the bone has cracked or broken,
often require casting. After a sprain or fracture, a
podiatric physician can prescribe a rehabilitation regimen
to restore strength to the injured area before returning
to the sport.
Plantar fasciitis. Catchers are particularly
susceptible to arch pain, commonly traced to an
inflammation called plantar fasciitis, on the bottom of
the foot. A podiatric physician can evaluate arch pain,
and may prescribe customized shoe inserts called orthoses
to help alleviate the pain.
Heel Spur Syndrome. A related condition, to which
catchers are also susceptible, is heel spur syndrome.
Often related to plantar fasciitis, heel spur syndrome
occurs when the plantar tendon pulls at its attachment to
the heel bone. This area of the heel can later calcify to
form a spur. Many times the ligament pulling on the heel
creates the symptoms, and not the spur itself, especially
after getting up from resting. With proper warm-up and the
use of supportive shoes, strain to the ligament can be
reduced.
Achilles tendinitis. The stop-and-start of baseball
often creates pain and tightness in the calf, and
aggravation of the Achilles tendon. Again, regular
stretching of the calf muscles gently and gradually before
and after the game will help minimize the pain and
stiffness.
Shin splints. Shin splints usually stem from an
inflammation of the muscle and tendon attached to the
shin, caused by stress factors. Treat shin pain with cold
compresses immediately after a game to reduce
inflammation. Proper stretching and strengthening
exercises should prevent the onset of shin splints.
Tips
-
Before
playing pickup games, make sure the field is free of
hazards like holes on the base path. Sticks, rocks, and
other debris on the field cause players to trip, risking
injuries, and should be removed.
-
Under the
age of 10, sneakers will suffice. A young player needs
to get a feel for cleats, which should not be worn off
the field.
-
Don't
forget to stretch regularly.
-
Slide
carefully. Careless slides can result in sprains and
even fractures of the lower leg and feet.
-
Fit your
shoes with the socks that you plan to wear during
aerobics activity.
Your podiatric physician/surgeon has been trained
specifically and extensively in the diagnosis and
treatment of all manners of foot conditions. This training
encompasses all of the intricately related systems and
structures of the foot and lower leg including
neurological, circulatory, skin, and the musculoskeletal
system, which includes bones, joints, ligaments, tendons,
muscles, and nerves. |
