Acceptability of baseball face guards and reduction of oculofacial injury in receptive youth league players. Issue 3 (1st September 2000)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Danis, Ronald P; Hu, Kuolung; Bell, Mason
• Is Part Of: Injury prevention. Volume 6:Issue 3(2000)
• Page Start: 232
• Page End: 234
• Publication Date: 2000-09-01
• Subjects: oculofacial injury -- dental injury -- ocular trauma -- baseball; Children's accidents -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Accidents -- Prevention -- Periodicals; 617.1
• DOI: 10.1136/ip.6.3.232
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1353-8047

Abstract

Abstract : Goals —To assess the relative injury reduction effect and acceptability of face guards on batter's helmets. Methods —A non-randomized prospective cohort study among 238 youth league baseball teams in Central and Southern Indiana during the 1997 season. Coaches, parents, and players were asked to respond to pre-season and post-season questionnaires. Approximately one half of the teams were supplied with face guard helmets (intervention); all others used this protection at their discretion (comparison). Results —Parents, players, and coaches on the intervention teams reported a reduction in the incidence of oculofacial injuries compared with comparison team respondents (p=0.04). There was no reported adverse effect of face guard use on player performance. Conclusions —Helmet face guards should be required for batters to prevent facial injuries in baseball.