All Articles by Lindsey Barton Straus, JD

Study Finds Youth Soccer Relatively Safe Sport

A first-of-its-kind national study of youth soccer injuries recently found that soccer is a relatively safe sport, but that the frequency and type of injuries varied by gender, with boys injured more frequently than girls but suffering fewer ankle and knee injuries.

Ten Ways to Prevent Soccer Injuries

According to a study reported in the February 2007 issue of the American Journal of Sports Medicine, youth soccer players (ages 2 to 18) suffer around 120,000 injuries each year sufficiently serious to require a trip to a hospital emergency room. The total number of soccer-related injuries, including those treated outside of a hospital ER, is estimated to be nearly 500,000 per year.

U.S. Soccer Federation Finds Padded Headgear Ineffective in Reducing Concussion Risk

An emerging issue in the world of soccer is the use of padded headgear by players to prevent concussions. There have been a number of conflicting claims and reports about the medical benefits and risks of this headgear, and USSF has received a number of inquiries from its members about whether use of headgear is either appropriate or recommended.

Soccer Headgear Cuts Concussion Risk In Half, Study Says

Teenage soccer players who wear protective headgear suffer nearly half as many concussions as those who play without helmets, according to a new study conducted by researchers at Canada's McGill University.

The Rules of Baseball

Regardless of the age of your team, they will all play on a baseball diamond, which will be sized proportionally for the age of your team.

Safety-Release Bases In Baseball Are A Must

Regardless of the youth baseball program in which your child participates, make sure it uses breakaway bases. If they don't, do your best to encourage their use, since a large percentage of baseball injuries occur during sliding and can be prevented by use of safety-release bases.

Buying Baseball Gloves

Each player should have his or her own glove and should take the time to find one that is comfortable and fits well. Players, especially younger ones, should choose a smaller rather than larger glove, because a larger glove is more difficult to open and close quickly.

Buying Baseball Bats

Bats must be made completely from either wood or aluminum. Older, more competitive teams/leagues may not permit the use of aluminum but, until recently, this was fairly rare until the players reached the collegiate level.

Buying Baseballs

A regulation ball is 9 inches around and weighs approximately 5 ounces. Many leagues use safety or "RIF" (reduced injury factor) baseballs, at least in T-ball and the lower "minor" leagues. Because safety baseballs are softer than regular youth baseballs, they don't hurt as much when they hit a player.