America’s pastime may have a relatively low injury rate compared to other contact sports, but the game still brings plenty of risks to players. For example, a fast-flying baseball to the chest can lead to commotio cordis — a rare but life-threatening condition where blunt trauma to the chest wall causes ventricular fibrillation, or a lethal cardiac rhythm, followed by abrupt cardiac arrest.

With the right protection and plan in place, commotio cordis is largely preventable. Here are some ways baseball players of all ages and skill levels can learn to recognize and prevent commotio cordis, which the National Institute of Health reports is the second-most common cause of cardiac arrest in athletes.

Know the Signs

Any baseball player hit in the chest should be evaluated for commotio cordis immediately. The signs are obvious and instant; and the sooner someone receives medical attention, the greater chance of survival they’ll have. USA Baseball reports the odds are about 58%, when treated instantly. It’s also important to note this injury occurs most frequently in boys ages 8 to 18, as their chest walls are less developed. Typically, the athlete will:

  • Collapse to the ground
  • Lose consciousness
  • Stop breathing
  • Possibly have jerking movements in the arms or legs

The next step is ensuring all parties on and off the field are prepared to take action.

Have a Game Plan

Every minute that goes by post-impact lowers an athlete’s chance of survival by up to 10%, according to the National Institute of Health. In addition to educating coaches, parents and athletes on the key signs of commotio cordis, create an emergency response plan with these tips:

  • Make sure an athletic trainer attends all practices and games
  • Train coaches, parents and athletes on how to perform CPR and use an AED
  • Keep an AED near the field at all times
  • Call 9-1-1 and continue to use CPR and AED until medics arrive

Wear the Right Protection

Safeguarding the chest is paramount in baseball, but not all protective gear is created equal. In 2017, the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) established new standards for the evaluation of chest wall protectors to prevent commotio cordis.

Players need first-rate protection that aligns with these NOCSAE guidelines, and Zoombang’s Baseball Chest Shirt is an ideal solution. This lightweight, durable shirt sits comfortably over the sternum to dissipate up to 90% of impact from blunt force trauma to the chest.

With an added layer of protection easily worn under any baseball jersey, players can stay injury free on the field — and parents and coaches can gain peace of mind.

Shop our Men’s Baseball Chest Shirt  and Boy’s Baseball Chest Shirt  to ramp up your protection.