Last March, Marin Catholic High School pitcher Gunnar Sandberg suffered a brain injury on a baseball playing field after being hit with a baseball to the head. The baseball, projected from a metal bat and traveling an estimated 100 mph, collided with Sandberg’s head, causing a fractured skull and induced coma.
A metal bat, commonly used in high schools until recently, causes a baseball to have a “trampoline effect” when projected into the air, increasing the ball’s velocity as a result. Serious injuries can frequently occur if the baseball collides with any bodily part, especially the head.
In wake of Sandberg’s injury, a Bay Area legislator lobbied for the state to remove metal bats from high school playing fields and use wood bats only. While the California Interscholastic Federation was able to prevent the rule from taking effect, a new bat safety standard is now in place.
New safety rules to prevent sports injury on the playing field
The BBCOR, or Batted Bat Coefficient of Restitution, measures the “liveliness” of a ball projected from the bat. BBCOR bats are said to reduce the ball’s velocity, causing less risk and personal injury on the baseball playing field.
Now, all baseball bats used in high school must meet the new safety standard.
High schools, coaches, and players are now scrambling to accommodate the new safety rules, but cost and supply have become major hindrances in becoming compliant. New BBCOR composite bats will cost schools between $200 and $300, and the best bats can cost upwards of $400.
Many coaches are expressing frustration for the new requirement, even though it will improve safety on the field.
Even schools who are eager to adopt the new safety standard are struggling to outfit their high school team since manufacturers and distributors of the BBCOR bats are running out of stock.
“Nobody even has them,” said La Costa Canyon coach Justin Machado. “I borrowed one from the junior college that was using them… Obviously [the rule] was passed for safety reasons, which isn’t a bad thing, but the new bats are so bad that it’s going to take away from the game of baseball at our level.”
While coaches may frown upon the new BBCOR baseball bats for now, a reduction in injury risk is a necessity in order to keep kids safe on the playing field.
Tips for increased sports safety
If you’re worried about your child’s safety on the playing field, always remember the following tips and feel free to speak to your child’s coach. A good coach will welcome parent ideas and should work to promote safety on the field.
- Always equip your child with helmet.
- Get your child a doctor’s physical every school year to ensure they are fit for sports.
- Inform your child of the possible injuries at risk, and how to avoid them if possible.
- For extra precaution, outfit your child with knee pads, wrist guards, and other approved safety devices.
Has your child been injured in a sports accident, or has s/he suffered brain injury from a sports-related accident? Our experienced child personal injury attorneys will evaluate your case free of charge. Call 1-800-655-6585 now for a confidential case consultation.
For more information on child sports safety in school, go to:
California Interscholastic Federation
About Michael PinesMichael Pines is a former insurance company attorney who specializes in car accident injury. While he was an insurance attorney, he learned from behind the scenes on how insurance companies work and how they decided to pay injured people. Now that he works against insurance companies, Michael's inside knowledge has resulted in significant benefits to his clients injured in car accidents.
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