• D H Janda, C A Bir, D C Viano, and S J Cassatta.
• The Institute for Preventative Sports Medicine and St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Laboratory for Orthopedic Research, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48107, USA.
• J Trauma. 1998 Feb 1; 44 (2): 298-303.

ObjectiveTo compare various soft-core baseballs for their ability to reduce the risk of fatal chest-impact injury.DesignThis study used a three-rib biomechanical surrogate to quantitatively analyze chest impacts from nine soft-core baseballs and one standard baseball, which served as the control. Impacts were achieved with an air cannon system, with the velocity of impact being 40, 50, and 60 mph.Materials And MethodsThe deflection of the three-rib structure at the sternum was measured and used to calculate the viscous criterion, which correlates with risk of chest-impact injury.Measurements And Main ResultsAnalysis showed that baseballs with lighter mass had a significantly lower viscous criterion (p < 0.05). Those with a similar mass had no change in the viscous criterion, and the heaviest soft-core baseball had a significantly higher viscous criterion at an impact velocity of 60 mph.ConclusionThe results of this study indicate that soft-core baseballs may not differ from a standard baseball with regard to the risk of fatal chest-impact injury while playing baseball. Other techniques, such as preventive coaching, need to be implemented when trying to improve baseball safety.

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