A. While working with athletes keep in mind that in addition to making your practices productive, you need to help protect them against potential injuries.

A few key factors for coaches to remember as fall begins:

1. Provide athletes multiple fluid breaks as they will dehydrate easily during conditioning. Remember, participants will need to increase fluids and the number of breaks if they are training outdoors in the intense summer heat. While training outdoors you must be aware of the temperature and the increased risk for a heat related illness. Also remember sun screen.

Q: I worry about my children playing sports and getting a concussion. How can I tell if a bump to the head is serious?

A: Concussions are a traumatic brain injury caused by a blow to the head or body that interferes with the normal function of the brain. The severity of a traumatic brain injury can range from "mild", with a brief change in mental status or level of consciousness, to "severe", with an extended period of unconsciousness or symptoms.

With the return of warm weather, the spring sports season is wrapping up and Summer is beginning.  We all want our children to enjoy this wonderful time of year without the risk of injury and pain.  The common injuries seen during this time of year are:

Baseball and Softball