Sliding-associated injuries in college and professional baseball--1990-1991.

Softball and baseball are among the most frequent causes of sports-related emergency department visits in the United States, accounting for an estimated 321,000 injuries in 1989. Approximately 71% of softball-related injuries are caused by sliding. The use of breakaway bases substantially decreases the risk for or occurrence of sliding-related injuries among recreational softball league players. This report summarizes the findings of a study on the impact of breakaway base use on sliding injuries among college and professional minor league baseball players.