Traumatic Brain Injury in Baseball
A recent study has shown that traumatic brain injury is a consistent component of both baseball and softball. Recommendations for protecting players were generated from a review of 29 previous studies and published in Frontiers of Neurology in 2017. While traumatic brain injuries are not as common among baseball players, it points to the overwhelming benefit of using helmets and other precautions when engaging in a variety of sports.
Baseball and Traumatic Brain Injury
While other sports may have a higher incidence of traumatic brain injuries, the researchers found that from 1982 to 2015 baseball players across multiple leagues suffered 242,731 TBIs. The total number included both softball and baseball players. Twenty-three of the 29 studies were done after 2005, and players were principally from the United States. In youth baseball, TBI was involved in 5.8 percent of all injuries. High school and college players had a higher incidence of injury. Males were seen to be injured more often, but females have a higher TBI injury rate. Overall, female players reported TBI injuries more often than males.
Famous Baseball Player Afflicted with TBI
In 2013, Ryan Freel, who played for six years with the Cincinnati Reds, was identified as the first baseball player with TBI after a post-mortem autopsy of his brain. Freel suffered a minimum of 10 concussions during his baseball career. He retired in 2010 after eight years in the major leagues due to continued head injuries. After suffering with depression and alcoholism, he killed himself when he was 36. The autopsy showed that Freel had a moderate level of brain damage.
Ways to Help Baseball Players Avoid TBI
There are things that can be done to spotlight the occurrence of TBI in baseball and softball as well as lessen the incidence:
Education: It is important that players and their families recognize that TBI does occur and that it can cause neurological damage and death.
Reporting: Since many players do not report head injuries, it is vital that they understand the necessity of doing so immediately. Playing the next day after a possible concussion can compound the injury. In addition, the Zachery Lystedt Law forbids a young player from returning to the game after a concussion without being medically cleared to play. It is in effect in all states, yet one review showed 56.8 percent of all young players are not in compliance.
Helmets: Although helmets have been shown to reduce TBI by 88 percent in bicyclists, some researchers have said that the use of a helmet does not lessen protection against concussion. However, most scientists and engineers believe that a proper helmet does protect against brain injury.
Innovative Changes in Design of Helmets: Since the average velocity of a pitch among Major League players is about 86 mph, the need for better designed helmets is necessary to protect players at all levels.
Financial Issues: It may be beneficial for schools to carry insurance for sports-related head injuries. Many players might ignore the injuries due to inability to pay. The cost of quality helmets might also be a factor. Using incentives to counter this problem may help alleviate the cost of traumatic brain injury to the community.
Elk Grove Brain Injury Attorney
I’m Ed Smith, an Elk Grove Brain Injury Attorney. If you or a family member suffers from traumatic brain injury due to the negligence of another, you need the assistance of an experienced personal injury lawyer. Reach out to me at (916) 694-0002 in the Elk Grove area and (800) 404-5400 nationwide. I am always ready to help with friendly and free advice. If needed, you can reach me online right here on AutoAccident.com.
I’ve been here for my neighbors in Elk Grove as their attorney for over 35 years. Together we have faced wrongful deaths, truck and motorcycle crashes as well as bicycle and pedestrian accidents.
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Top Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/en/baseball-player-shortstop-infield-1045263/
Final Photo Attribution: Ed Smith, Elk Grove Brain Injury Attorney
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