Slow-pitch softball injuries

A prospective investigation of slow-pitch softball injuries incurred in Hawaii was undertaken to study the nature of these injuries and analyze their causes. The injured players were involved in league softball with referees. There were 83 athletes and 93 injuries. A retrospective review of all Army softball-related admissions was also done. Thirty-five athletes or 42% were injured while sliding, 29 "foot first" and the remainder "hand first". Twenty-five of 27 ankle injuries caused by sliding included 20 fractures, 3 sprains, and 2 complete closed posterior dislocations. Analysis of these injuries suggests that the injury occurs when the individual uses the base to rapidly decelerate and avoid overrunning the base. Eighty-four percent of the athletes were injured from three mechanisms; 42% from sliding, 25% from "jamming" injuries, and 17% from falls. The only preventable group of injuries appears to be the sliding injuries. Recessing the bases, using "quick release" rather than anchored bases, teaching safer sliding techniques, or eliminating the slide are suggested as means of preventing these injuries.