|
Spotlight on Softball
|
|
At the youth level, softball is a game primarily played by girls. Its rules are quite similar to baseball's, in which one team attempts to score runs by hitting a ball with a wooden or metal bat, and the defending team attempts to limit hits or runs by fielding or pitching. 9.8 million people participated in softball in 2006, 5.3 million of which were female.
|
|
|
A Word about Chest Protectors
According to an article in the April 2006 Pediatrics titled "Failure of commercially available chest wall protectors to prevent sudden cardiac death induced by chest wall blows in an experimental model of Commotio Cordis" there are no chest protectors currently on the market that prevent Commotio Cordis.
There have been many groups working very hard to produce an approved chest protector yet none to date has been approved for sale. Currently, there are some individuals who are selling expensive T-shirts with a pocket for a heavy duty piece of plastic, apparently to protect the heart. While the intentions are good the public should know that these are not approved or effective in preventing sudden cardiac arrest due to a blow to the chest.
|
|
By Suzanne Nelson, .Sc.D, RD
 Once children enter elementary school, they begin to develop eating patterns that are more independent of a parent's influence and scrutiny. New activities and peers begin to influence food choices as your child is exposed to a variety of new foods and different social situations. Your child's food choices will tend to be repetitious, so that the foods they include in their diets remain relatively constant over time.
More >>
|
|
By Jay Portnoy, M.D.
For the more than 40 to 50 million American adult and children who suffer from the misery and discomfort of allergies, protecting themselves and their families from exposure to the usual suspects-ragweed and pollen-means locking them selves indoors. Unfortunately, this step could actually be causing more harm than good. More >>
|
|
There are many variations of softball, but the two most familiar are slow-pitch and fast-pitch. The former is the favorite of men growing into middle age who loved to play baseball as children. Its casual player base is in steep decline. The latter is the game popularized by two Olympic victories by the U.S. women's team. This game is flourishing, especially in high schools and organized leagues. More >>
|
|
A new, first-of-its-kind survey conducted for the American Dietetic Association's sports nutrition practice group, SCAN (Sports, Cardiovascular and Wellness Nutritionists), finds that many parents are confused about the right foods and fluids to give their kids who play sports. More >>
|
|
By Brooke deLench
Ever see a picture in your local paper of a summer "all-star" baseball team of 10 and 11 year olds and find it odd that nearly every kid in the picture is either the son or daughter of one of the coaches or of one of the coaches of a team during the regular season or the best friend of the coaches kid? More >>
|
|
Hydration Essentials
Sponsored by SunnyD
|
|
By Suzanne Nelson, Sc.D., RD
Because children tolerate heat and humidity less well than adults, there may be times when it will be necessary to modify or even cancel practices due to extremely hot or humid conditions. In deciding whether to do so, you should keep in mind the following. More >>
|
|
By Shane Murphy, Ph. D.
It is no easy task to be a parent of a young athlete. Hard enough are the tasks of helping the child learn how to handle the ups and downs of competition. But perhaps most challenging are the demands on your own coping skills - learning how to manage emotions that are repeatedly tested under trying conditions. More >>
|
|
For a complete list of Articles on Softball, click here
|
|
For a complete list of Health and Safety articles, click here
|
|
For a complete list of Nutrition articles, click here
|
|
|
|
High School Softball: 2008-09
Rule Changes And Revisions
|
|
|
|
 Last summer with the summer heat wave have come reports of the heat-related deaths of at least four young football players who died during a sixteen day period between July 17th and August 1st, 2006. Each had just begun practicing for the upcoming fall sports season. Incredibly, two of the four boys were from the same league in Tampa, Florida: More >>
|
|
by Doreen Greenberg, Ph.D.
 When my first daughter was born, 28 years ago, I was a very young, very optimistic woman. I was determined my daughter would not be gender-stereotyped. After all, it was the early 1970’s; I had been doing my marching in Washington to ensure that she would have parity with all the little boys in anything she pursued. More >> |
|
By Connie Harvey
Each year, about 400 children and adults in the U.S. are struck by lightning while working outside, at sports events, on the beach, mountain climbing, mowing the lawn or during other outdoor activities.
More>>
|
|
According to the CDC, sliding into a base causes more than 70 percent of recreational softball injuries and nearly one-third of baseball injuries, including ankle sprains. Most base-sliding accidents result from judgment errors by the runner, poor sliding technique, and inadequate physical conditioning. More >>
|
|
Amid stories of harsh words or even violence among parents at youth sporting events, more than 3,000 teams across the country are using a new device designed to help prevent conflicts between coaches, parents and kids. More >>
|
|
Doug Hirschhorn, M.S.
When I pick up a newspaper only to read another youth sports horror story about parents fighting at a youth hockey, football or baseball game with each other or with coaches or umpires, I often think back to the time when I was playing youth baseball... Read Full Story
|
|
Experts Wanted!
|
|
Do you know a Softball coach in your community you think would be an ideal candidate for the MomsTeam editorial advisory board? Send his or her name
.
|
|
During a recent Oprah show on summer safety, I learned of the Louis Acompora Memorial Foundation, that Karen Acompora and her family founded and are now running. The foundation is a wonderful tribute to her son, Louis, and a gift to all parents with children who are in harms way while playing youth sports. As I watched Karen and her husband John, I wanted to climb through the television and give her a big hug and to thank her for the mission she is on to make sure that no other child dies while playing a sport.
More >>
|
|
