Sofball

Hi. My nephew is 24 and he just had a pacemaker implanted 3 months ago. He loves playing softball. Is it safe to do it?
I have read that playing baseball is dangerous. I understand being hit by a baseball thrown by a pitcher at 90 miles per hour can be hard, but I was wondering if it was the same for softball which is a lot slower than baseball. He really wants to play again but he's not sure he should. Maybe playing in the outfield helps?
Something else is that he started exercising again after 3 months and he gets tired very easily. People think it's because he hadn't worked out in such a long time. Does that make any sense?
Thanks a lot
Angel

4 Comments

it's fine!

by Tracey_E - 2009-07-25 05:07:17

He should ask his doctor but generally full contact sports like martial arts and tackle football are discouraged, anything else is fine.

Check this out, skip about 3/4 through if you don't want to watch it all
http://heartbeatintl.org/about_us/index.html
the guy got shot and the pm deflected the bullet. Pm's are tough! A softball game should be fine.

If he's getting tired, he should call his doctor. It could easily be that it will just take some time to get back in shape, but it could also be that his settings need adjusted (easy to do!), or it could be something else going on. Only his doctor can tell him for sure.

Playing Softball With A PM

by SMITTY - 2009-07-25 05:07:36

Hello Angel,

I can express an opinion here but cannot give hard and fast answers.

The odds of getting hit on a pacemaker by a pitched baseball or softball are pretty slim, but it can happen. While it is true a baseball may be traveling 90 mph. Depending on the class league he is playing in the speed of a pitched softball can be any where from 40 to 70 mph. think. But that name "softball" is a misnomer. While a softball may not be as hard as a baseball when it comes to getting hit on a pacemaker by either one, I don't think it woud make a nickle's worth of difference. Actually the pacemaker may not be damaged by either one, but the leads that are attached to the PM are much more fragile and could be damaged.

Also, being hit by a pitched ball is not the only source of risk, being run into, or hit by a batted ball could also pose a problem. I don't where they are available but I'm sure there must be guards or pads a PM wearer could use to protect the PM while playing sports such as softball.

As for the getting tired I'll not try to answer that one. However, I'll ask a question for you to consider. What kind of physical condition was he in before he got the PM. It could be poor physical condition to start with that is the basis of this problem and it will take time. Or it could be that his PM needs some settings changes to improve his exercise stamina. Of course I think the best and only place to get good answers for these questions is his doctor.

I wish him the best.

Smitty

my two pitches worth.....

by maryanne - 2009-07-26 03:07:08

I have played softball for over 20 years and all those years I have had my PM never once have I been hit at my pacemaker site....is it possible...yes I guess...but then I could also get hit by lightening or a truck....

I have played first base, field and back catcher, I have played co ed and let me tell you the men don't always take it easy on us ladies....

I know the medical field suggest that we don't play any contact sports...but to me that defeats the purpose of the PM...The PM is to allow me to live a full and healthy life....when I got my first PM I remember my cardiologist asking what side I wanted my PM implanted as he knew I played racquet ball at the time...I would think I would have more chances of getting hit by a ball playing that sport than softball, but rather than discourage me he encourage me to get out there and enjoy life.

As I said most medical practioners will warn us from not playing any contact sport....I guess it is an individual choice...one that I truly have not given much creedance to....if at all in doubt have your nephew talk with his GP.

All the best and I hope he continues to enjoy life to it's fullest.....

cheers Mary Anne

Pacemaker protector

by zoie - 2009-07-27 04:07:39

Hi pacers!
My name is Sharon and my daughter Zoie has had a pm since she was 3. I am the co-founder of PACEGUARD which has been designed specifically for pacers with active lifestyles. Please check out our website at www.paceguard.com. As some of you may know, we’ve been working on this for the past two years. I hope you find our product exactly what you were looking for. Our mission is simple: for pacers to have the opportunity to live an active lifestyle. We welcome any questions or comments..Thanks! Play for life!
Sharon

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