Protective baseball equipment scores home run for safety.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission ( CPSC) is pitching a no-hitter. The agency is recommending that kids in youth baseball and softball leagues use protective equipment to reduce the number and severity of the 58,400 injuries to children that occur each year from playing these games.

The agency reported that the findings from its one-year study support the use of three pieces of protective equipment to reduce injuries:

* Softer-than-standard baseballs and softballs--which have a spongier eve than standard balls--may prevent or lessen the severity of injuries. The CPSC reported that 47,900 ball-impact injuries to the head and neck occur annually.

* Batting helmets with face guards may prevent or lessen the severity of the 3,900 facial injuries occurring annually to batters.

* Safety release bases that have no parts of the base sticking up from the ground could help prevent injuries that occur when players slide into bases. The agency said some 6,600 injuries occur this way each year.

The CPSC collected and analyzed data on baseball-, softball-, and teeball-related injuries and deaths to determine how children were injured and what safety equipment could prevent these injuries. The agency also studied voluntary safety standards and reviewed published scientific literature evaluating currently available protective equipment.

The CPSC analyzed the 88 reports it received of baseball-related deaths of children between 1973 and 1995. It found that 68 of the deaths were caused by ball impact and 13 by bat impact. Of the 68 ball-impact deaths, 38 resulted from blows to the chest, while 21 were caused by a ball hitting a player's head.

The CPSC considers about 33 percent of the injures severe. These include concussions, dental injuries, fractures, and internal injuries. Less severe injuries include abrasions, contusions, lacerations, sprains, and strains. More than 50 percent of injured children under age 11 were hit in the head and neck area, while a larger percentage of older children sustained injuries to their arms and legs.

Baseball, softball, and teeball are among the most popular youth team sports in the United States. The CPSC estimates that 6 million children ages 5 to 14 participate each year in organized leagues, while another 13 million participate in nonleague play.

Although not usually considered a contact sport, baseball leads team sports in deaths to children. The agency said there are three to four baseball-related deaths each year. The sport ranks third in annual injuries to children, after basketball and football.

To obtain a copy of the CPSC report, contact Rocky Hammond at [phone], ext. 1232, or fax a request to [phone].