Concussions in female softball players

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sluggers

Super Moderator
Staff member
May 26, 2008
7,133
113
Dallas, Texas
Really surprising that concussion among female softball players were 3 times higher than for male softball players...

From the NCAA web site:

In addition to suffering with more concussion symptomatology, females have a higher rate of concussion compared to males when playing the following sports:

· Soccer (2.1 x greater risk)

· Softball versus baseball (up to 3.2 x greater risk)

· Basketball (up to 1.7 x greater risk)​

Other articles about lack of awareness (AKA "ignorance") about concussion in female sports:

Bloomberg

Cosmopolitan

Washington Post

Are you as a coach or a parent looking out for concussions on the softball field?
 

obbay

Banned
Aug 21, 2008
2,199
0
Boston, MA
Thanks for posting - ignorance abounds when it comes to concussions. During our most ignorant days, my oldest DD got a bad one in January that kept her out of sports until the end of May. along the way she missed some school, testing etc. she was never the same afterward (maybe the change was inevitable but the concussion definitely exacerbated the condition) younger DD got one in middle school but the teachers there are nowhere near as understanding of the issue as the High School teachers. even though she had doctors notes limiting homework and testing, some of them continued to pile it on, which didn't help.

I have learned so much the hard way, I am always looking closely at kids who have hit their head. I make sure the parents know but many of them do not want to hear it. they think their kid needs to be tough to overcome it, which is actually the opposite.
 
Feb 15, 2013
650
18
Delaware
When talking softball are they comparing Fastpitch (Females) to Slowpitch (males)? I would think that would play a larger role in concussions considering slowpitch infielders stand on the outfield grass most of the time.
 
Oct 10, 2013
116
0
My dd suffered a concussion over last labor day weekend. She was out of school for the month of September and half of October. She started back 1 class a day, then half day, and finally full days in early November. She is sophomore in high school.

You learn a lot about it and people in general. Her school was terrific. The teachers and a lot of determination from my dd caught up in school, she still made first honors.

Softball wise, she has changed a lot. She wanted to go to college and play....not sure now. She was very confident as a player prior....no confidence now. She regaining some....i think hs open gym is helping the most along with her pitching coach. It's a long rode....not sure if it will ever be the same for her.

I really think all travel organization should go through a concussion protocol class.
 

collinspc

Softball Dad
Apr 23, 2014
213
18
Pittsburgh PA
I really think all organizations should go through a concussion protocol class.

I was in a SMALL accident last week, barely marked the rear bumper cover on my car but I hit my head on the headrest. I say hit, but it was more like a tap near my ear. I am still getting headaches, ringing ears, fuzzy vision at times, memory lapses, etc.......... Concussions are not something to fluff off. I barely hit my head on the headrest, but am suffering from a mild concussion. Same thing happened to a friend who has been off work for 4 months and can just recently manage to attend the 7th grade basketball games if he wears DARK sunglasses and ear plugs.

Please don't ignore concussions or concussion like symptoms!

In my opinion that stat shows the girls/woman are more likely to report or let someone know that they are suffering with the symptoms, which is a good thing.
 
Last edited:
Feb 17, 2014
7,152
113
Orlando, FL
Some points well made which I am sure are quite valid. However, stats based on information derived from anecdotal evidence are suspect at best and only detract from the underlying message.
 
Jul 10, 2014
1,283
0
C-bus Ohio
Are you as a coach or a parent looking out for concussions on the softball field?

One of my All Stars took a bad hop to the chin last season. I went through all of the concussion protocols mandated by the league (same protocols as the high schools require) and she passed all of the field tests. She only complained that her chin hurt. Had her sit the rest of the inning, and by the time her at bat came up she was complaining of a headache. Mild concussion, out for a few weeks. I'm glad I followed the proper procedure and kept her out, and it was a valuable real-world lesson to me that not all concussion symptoms will show immediately (which is what we're taught anyway).

Not to start another argument, but this is why I require all of my infielders to wear masks.
 
Nov 29, 2009
2,975
83
I really think all travel organization should go through a concussion protocol class.

The State of Michigan has a mandatory online class that youth coaches must take. I took my team to the Compuware tournament last year. At check in they handed me a sheet with instructions telling me the class had to be completed before we played or my team would be disqualified.

The class was very informative. As others stated here. Sometimes the symptoms do not manifest themselves immediately.
 
Feb 17, 2014
7,152
113
Orlando, FL
The State of Michigan has a mandatory online class that youth coaches must take. I took my team to the Compuware tournament last year. At check in they handed me a sheet with instructions telling me the class had to be completed before we played or my team would be disqualified.

The class was very informative. As others stated here. Sometimes the symptoms do not manifest themselves immediately.

So this is mandated by Michigan State law?
 
Dec 20, 2012
1,085
0
No problem with the mask but definitely not the answer to concussions. The majority in softball are a result of collisions. When the collision is between an infielder and outfielder the mask could cause more harm.
 

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