In 1995, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported 162,100 hospital emergency room visits for baseball-related injuries to children between the ages of 5 and 14 years. Baseball injury to the eyes are of significant concern and are the injuries most likely to produce disability, Dr. Danis said. This is a public health issue that needs to be taken seriously. The study was supported by a grant from the Midwest Eye Foundation, Inc., Prevent Blindness Indiana, Inc., both of Indianapolis, and Research to Prevent Blindness, New York. The most common cause of sports-related eye injuries is baseball related.
Batters are the single player position most at risk.
5 million youths play baseball each year in organized leagues. In 1995, there were 162,100 hospital emergency room visits for baseball-related injuries to children ages 5 to 14 years, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Thirty-seven percent of these ER visits were due to facial injuries. The face guard may prevent between 25 percent and 47 percent of facial impacts from a bat or ball.