Baseball has earned the title of "America's favorite pastime," and softball is even more popular with amateur players. These two games have a slower pace and less contact than many other famous American team sports, such as football, basketball, and hockey. Each year, however, there are nearly half a million baseball injuries requiring treatment in the United States. This book explains the most common injuries suffered on the diamond. It provides tips on preventing such injuries, and explains how they are treated and overcome. This book also covers such topics as: • baseball's colorful history • exercise routines that help both baseball and softball players avoid injury • players' protective equipment • types of injuries and their treatments • the importance of good nutrition • the risks of using performance-enhancing drugs