As an athlete who has played competitively for 22 years, as a coach for 7 years and as a mother for 3 years, I am always looking for something to improve the safety of any sport I, my teams, or my child may be participating in. Throughout my 22 years of playing softball, I have seen many people receive a variety of injuries. The majority of these injuries have occurred as a result of interaction with equipment, usually bases. The idea of altering the base to create a safer atmosphere is one that should have been thought of many years ago. The number of injuries that can now be avoided, especially at the younger level, is insurmountable. Target Base simplifies the game for the fielder, the runner and the official. The fielder now has a visible target as a result of the placement of the bright orange section. The runner now has a safer area of the base to step on or slide into. Even the official benefits. They now have a clearer view of a play afforded to them. As you can see, I am definitely a supporter of instituting the usage of the Target Base as well as any other device that improves the safety of a sport. Sincerely, Catherine A. West Middle School Educator/Coach