Why WebBall recommends Rogers: Not all makes advertised as safety bases do the job. The release point depends on the size and weight of the players. Most magnetic systems just don't have the versions available for different age groups. The result are bases that break away too often - or the real danger - don't break away when they should. We also know of serious leg injuries caused by contact with unyielding magnetic base plates (happened on a field we play on). We believe that the engineering put into the Rogers Breakaway system makes it perform better under typical game and practice conditions. - Richard Todd, WebBall
Your baseball fields aren't as safe as you think
Danger is lurking. Liabilities are waiting to strike.
According to the experts, the use of safety bases in recreational baseball games could prevent 1.7 million injuries that cost the U.S. about $2 billion a year in heath care expenses.
Everyone who's anyone has come out in support of safety bases, with no endorsement stronger than for Rogers patented Break Away® bases (see below).
Little League mandated safety base use by April 2008. Cal Ripken and other associations have also chosen Rogers as either their exclusive or official supplier
IMPORTANT: Select for the players who will use the field - different tops have different breakaway resistance factors. This ensures that bases don't release too easily when hit by more mature players, or else don't resist too much when hit by smaller players. You can, in fact, order a full set then come back and choose a tops-only set for multi-age fields. Two year limited warranty against defects in materials or workmanship.
Complete 3-Base System includes: 3 Base Tops, 3 Base Plates and 3 Anchor Systems which includes: 3 Plastic Anchor Housings, 3 Steel Anchor Sleeves, 3 Rubber Anchor Plugs, 6 Anchor Housing Handles, 1 Dig-Out Tool, a product Information manual with installation instructions, and 2 facility fact sheets. Anchors must be filled - fine gravel has worked, concrete recommended.
Rogers BreakAway system components
Rogers BreakAway Base Tops set of 3
$176.95
Join Team Players, pay $159.26
S/H $35.00 to US48. Discounts available for 5 or more sets.
Rogers BreakAway Base Plates set of 3 for all tops
Fits all tops.
$168.95
Join Team Players, pay $152.06
S/H $45.00 to US48. MUST INSTALL IN ROGERS ANCHORS
Rogers BreakAway Anchors set of 3 for all models
For all fields. Set includes 3 Housings, 3 Steel Anchor Sleeves, 6 Anchor Handles, 3 rubber anchor plugs, 1 dig-out tool, installation instructions.
$93.77
Join Team Players, pay $84.39
S/H $35.00 to US48. INSTALLATION REQUIRES CEMENT AND/OR GRAVEL.
Quick Change Tops
Completely covers Break Away Base anchor when not in use. Very effective on fields with multiple base lines, allows infield material to completely cover anchor. Integrated high visibility green tassel provides for quick location.
$38.77
Join Team Players, pay $34.89
S/H $15.00 to US49. OPTIONAL
Liability Waiver on Components:
While tops and plates are available separately, we recommend complete sets. Roger's base tops and plates should always be used on the Roger's anchor system for safety and stability - there is a high risk of injury to the players when components are combined with foreign anchoring methods. As a result, the manufacturer has set pricing to encourage the ordering of full sets. Also, customers ordering partial sets for which no record exists of a previous Rogers anchor order will be required to acknowledge and accept liability for any misuse of product. This seems harsh and absolute, but the goal of the company is safety for everyone in baseball.
Here's what the Experts say...
The Institute for Preventive Sports Medicine, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Consumer Product Safety Commission, American Journal of Sports Medicine, even an article in the Journal of the American Medical Association - they have all come out in support of safety bases, with no endorsement stronger than for Rogers patented Break Away® bases. Rogers Break Away Base can compensate for dangerous, uncontrolled slides. The result: a reduction in injuries by 97% and the related health care costs by 99%!
In a study by David H. Janda, M.D.; Cynthia Bir, Ph.D.; Beth Kedroske, RT(R), they state the following:
"We found the force at the ankle upon impact when compared to the standard base revealed all 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 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 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. "
What can you do? If you're a parent or coach, who doesn't have a direct say in injury-prevention policies or equipment purchase decisions for your league or association, then please print this page and make sure it gets in the hands of the right people. We owe it to our players.
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