Breakaway Bases – The Seventh Base Foundation

Keeping Players Safe

Breakaway Bases Prevent Injuries

More than 40 million individuals participate in organized baseball and softball leagues in the United States every year. Unfortunately, according to a report published by the Centers for Disease Control, The Journal of the American Medical Association, and many other outlets, it has also been estimated that sliding into stationary bases is responsible for 71% of injuries in recreational softball and baseball. A previous field study conducted by orthopedic surgeon Dr. David Janda has determined that the utilization of Rogers® Breakaway™ bases have the potential of preventing 96% of sliding injuries, thereby preventing 1.7 million injuries per year in the United States with a savings of over $2 billion dollars per year in health care costs.

The purpose of another study was to analyze and compare the potential attenuating capabilities of various types of bases. This study found the force at the ankle upon impact when compared to the standard base revealed all brands of breakaway bases reduced the force of impact to a statistically significant level. The force at the foot upon impact when compared to the standard base revealed all breakaway bases reduced the force at variable levels, with the Rogers® Breakaway™ bases having the only statistically significant reduction. However, the force delivered to the tibia/fibula was increased with the Stay Down and Mag-Net large bases as compared to the standard stationary base. The moments of inversion/eversion and dorsiflexion/plantar flexion upon impact, when compared to the standard base, revealed all safety bases included in the study were reduced to a statistically significant level. We conclude breakaway bases reduce the force of impact and moments to a statistically significant level and confirm previous field studies. Though there is a difference among the breakaway bases themselves, they should be used on all fields.

Position Statement

Use of Breakaway Bases in Preventing Recreational Baseball and Softball Injuries

This Position Statement was developed as an educational tool based on the opinion of the authors. It is not a product of a systematic review. Readers are encouraged to consider the information presented and reach their own conclusions.

Softball and baseball are popular recreational sports for children, teens and adults. An estimated 8.6 million children, ages 6 to 17, participate annually in organized and recreational baseball.1 More than 2 million girls between the ages of 12 and 18 compete in fast pitch softball annually.

The two sports account for a large number of sports injuries, including sprains, fractures and dislocations. Although lower extremity injuries are the most common, upper extremity injuries also occur. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPCS), in 2014, more than 629,000 people were treated for injuries related to baseball and softball.2

Better injury prevention strategies are essential to increase the safety of these sports. A study conducted at the University of Michigan by orthopedic surgeon Dr. David Janda found that using Rogers® Breakaway™ bases in recreational softball games reduced sliding injuries by 98 percent and associated medical care costs by 99 percent.3

A traditional stationary base is bolted to a metal post and sunk into the ground. This becomes a rigid obstacle that the athlete encounters while sliding. In contrast, a Rogers® Breakaway™ base is snapped onto grommets attached to an anchored rubber mat, which holds it in place during normal play. Although a sliding runner can dislodge it, the breakaway base is stable and will not detach during normal base running.

The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) believes the deployment of breakaway bases at all levels of baseball and softball could dramatically reduce injuries to athletes, including posterior cruciate injuries (behind the knee), improving the safety of both sports as well as reducing healthcare costs due to medical injuries. The AAOS recommends that breakaway bases be installed on all playing fields and further recommends that physicians involved with sports activities around the country actively promote the use of breakaway bases in their local community.

References:

Lawson BR, Comstock RD, Smith GA. Baseball-related injuries to children treated in hospital emergency departments in the United States, 1994-2006. Pediatrics, 2009; 126(6). www.pediatrics.org/cgi/content/full/123/6/e1028
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. NEISS data. Accessed June 2015. http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Research–Statistics/NEISS-Injury-Data/
Your Orthopedic Connection, Baseball Injury Prevention. http://orthoinfo.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00185
Janda DH, Wojtys EM, Hankin FM, et al. A three-phase analysis of the prevention of recreational softball injuries. Am J Sports Med 1990; 18:632–35.

More Reference Can Be Provided Upon Request

saftey starts at the base

Why Do Youth Baseball Programs Use Breakaway Bases?

Many youth baseball organizations use breakaway (safety) bases because research shows they help to prevent the majority of sliding injuries. In fact, Little League International mandated the use of disengage-able bases for all leagues in the United States beginning with the 2008 season (Rule 1.06)

Traditional stationary bases don’t release when a player slides, causing common injuries such as ankle sprains, fractures, knee injuries, hand/wrist injuries, and collisions. Breakaway bases are designed to disengage under forceful impact, dramatically lowering the risk of injury. Key Reasons

Proven to Reduce Injuries: Multiple prospective studies show breakaway bases can reduce sliding injuries by up to 96%.
Safer for Young Players: Kids are still developing skills and coordination—breakaway bases protect them during aggressive slides.
Recommended by Safety Experts: Supported by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and other sports safety organizations.
Easy to Install: Most breakaway bases fit standard field anchors, making them a simple upgrade for leagues.

Cost-Effective Prevention: A small investment that prevents medical bills, missed games, and long-term injuries.

Built to protect

WAKE FOREST, NC, UNITED STATES, June 25, 2024 /EINPresswire.com/ — Rogers Base Company, LLC, a leading provider of high-quality sports equipment, proudly announces its new partnership with PONY Baseball and Softball as the official baseball and softball base provider. This strategic collaboration marks an exciting milestone for both entities, aiming to enhance the playing experience for young athletes nationwide.

PONY Baseball and Softball, known for its commitment to youth development and fostering a love for the game, has selected Rogers Base Company as its official supplier of baseball and softball bases. With a shared dedication to excellence and innovation, this partnership is poised to elevate the equipment standards in youth baseball and so

Rogers Base Company brings decades of experience in manufacturing sports equipment and is committed to superior quality, performance, and durability. Following years of clinical research, testing, and refinement, Rogers Breakaway™ Base is considered the de facto system in the market and has protected players of all ages. Their baseball and softball bases are engineered with precision and designed to withstand the rigors of intense gameplay, ensuring optimal performance on the field.