Citation

Danis RP, Hu K, Bell M. Inj. Prev. 2000; 6(3): 232-234.

Affiliation

Department of Ophthalmology, Indiana University Medical School, Indianapolis 46202, USA. rdanis@iupui.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2000, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

11003192

PMCID

PMC1730643

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.