Citation

Rosenbaum DA, Davis SW. Int. J. Sports Med. 2014; 35(8): 704-707.

Affiliation

Department of Family and Community Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Georg Thieme Verlag)

DOI

10.1055/s-0033-1363253

PMID

24408764

Abstract

Purpose is to determine if Major League Baseball plays at risk for collisions have higher injury rates than typical base running plays. 2002-2011 Major League Baseball play data was obtained: non-force putouts by catcher at home plate (Catcher Tag Out), groundball force outs at 2nd base with less than 2 outs (Double Play Attempt), and the control play, outfield assisted non-force putouts of runners attempting to advance to 2nd or 3rd base (Outfield Assist 2nd/3rd). This list was cross-referenced with 2002-2011 disabled lists to see if an involved player went on the disabled list the day of or day after the play. An on-line search for each match determined if the injury was attributable to that play. Rate calculated per 1 000 plays, severity in days on disabled list. Injury rate and severity for Catcher Tag Out was 6.98 and 45.6 respectively, Double Play Attempt 0.42 and 41.3, Outfield Assist 2nd/3rd 1.56 and 47.0. Injury rate for Catcher Tag Out was higher (P=0.03) than the control while Double Play Attempt trended lower (P=0.05). There was no difference in severity. Catcher Tag Outs carry greater injury risk than typical base running plays. Major League Baseball should consider prohibiting base path collisions.

Language: en