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Safe Coaching & Prep

Richard Borkowski A sport and recreation safety consultant based in Narberth, PA, Richard P. Borkowski, Ed.D., CMAA, brings a practical perspective to safety in his multi-page article which includes not only the dangers but a how-to guide to on-field safety. Dick served as the Director of Physical Education and Athletics at the Episcopal Academy in Merion, Pennsylvania for 33 years, has been a sports coach, and the chairman of a national Safety & Risk Management Committee. He offers seminars, does evaluations and writes on the subject of sport safety. (Click to close.)

- Richard Borkowski

Part of a multi-part article on being safe at home, in the dugout, on the field, everywhere.

Teach the Game

The lack of supervision remains a major reason for many injuries. Coaches must be present and knowledgeable about risk management.

Baseball is a great game. It is also a safe game when administrators and coaches think first about the players and second about wins.

Teaching how to play the game correctly is probably the best way to decrease injuries. Failing to teach safety techniques, such as how to slide, how to make calls to avoid collisions and the best way to get out of the way of wild pitches is the best way to increase injuries.

Sliding head first has gained great popularity. It is also the cause of some serious injuries to untrained players.

Set Rules

Have rules for all aspects of the game and practice. For example, having a catch or playing 'pepper' should only occur at specific places and times. No batting should be permitted without approval of the coach. Swinging a bat should occur only at designated places.

The position of pitcher is perhaps the most vulnerable because of the potential speed of a ball being hit back to the mound. Pitchers must be taught how to get into the fielding position after delivering the ball.

Player Warm-Ups

A major cause of injury is the lack of a progressive warm up and conditioning program in youth sports. Conversely, overuse injuries have replaced traumatic injuries as the most common reason for physician visits according to the editor in chief of The Physician and Sportsmedicine. This may be because more children are involved in organized sports at younger and younger ages. [Ed. note: WebBall has a number of pages, especially in Training section and under Pitching that cover warm-ups.]

First Aid Plan

Teams must have a first aid kit and an emergency plan. The safest program will have accidents. You must be ready for them. Where is the nearest phone to your field?

Reduced Injury Factor baseballs.

The National Youth Sports Safety Foundation states that "the leading cause of both injury and death is impact with the ball."

The NYSSF recommends a softer baseball, while others suggest additional study. [Ed. note: RIF baseballs are almost mandatory in the gym - to protect gym surfaces and equipment but also players from bad hops and deflections. There is no reason not to start your outdoor training season with them as well.]

Chest protectors for non-catchers are also under study for youth players. [Ed. note: WebBall's only concern here is the claims made for current chest pads. but we agree with the principal. As Dr. Borkowski notes: teaching and training to be alert and prepared is the best defense.]

Safety is a matter of caring about people. It lowers the chance of injuries to kids, and law suits to coaches. Now that's a solid defense.

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