Injured Shot Putter Assumed The Risks

Should a high school shot-putter that was injured by a shot thrown by his opponent be compensated because of his injury?  According to Injured Shot Putter Chances In Court Are Shot, the plaintiff had participated in numerous track meets and had thrown the same shot hundreds of times.  I fully agree with the courts in this case.  The participant assumed the risk by participating in the event and had experience and knowledge of the game to know he could get injured. There is no difference in this incident and that of a football player running off of the sidelines and hitting the players or cheerleaders on the side. The sideliners know that if they are standing there, someone may hit them.

Civil War Re-enactor Shot In the Leg

According to the Daily Press in VA, a Civil War re-enactor who was injured during a documentary film shoot over the weekend when he was struck in the shoulder by a shot apparently fired from the pistol of another re-enactor.  They were joined by some new re-enactors that were not aware of the safety procedures that are in place.  Our office speaks with re-enactment clubs on a daily basis. This is the first time in several years that any mention of an accident has come up.  I’m sure that it will be stated somewhere how dangerous re-enactments are now, however, dealing with these groups while writing their re-enactment insurance every day you find out that these are some of the most professional and safety conscious people you will come across. They are often current or former military or police (sometimes both) so they have been well trained. They are not there to simply “play with guns” they are there to preserve our country’s history.

What Lessons Can Youth Athletes Learn From Losing?

When you put your kids on the field you are so stoked because your team is out to WIN! But is it always the best thing? The NY Times recently posted a great article,  Lessons Learned In Losing. The article does a great job of making us realize that it isn’t all about winning and that there can even be some health benefits in losing. 

Take a moment today to comment and let us know What Lessons Have You Learned From Losing?

Sports Officials Under Assault

Attacks on sports officials continue, despite efforts of national governing bodies and sports organizations to emphasize sportsmanship. Today, not only are officials at risk, but coaches have faced similar verbal and physical attacks by overzealous parents and players. The National Association of Sports Officials (NASO) published a Special Report: Officials Under Assault giving examples from all levels of sports and the steps that are being taken to prevent attacks on sports officials. If they do occur the assailant could be banned from sports, fined or even jailed.

NYSCA Team Wins 2008 Cal Ripken World Series

Congratulations to the Jupiter-Tequesta Athletic Association (JTAA) All Stars, Palm Beach County, FL, for winning the 2008 Cal Ripken World Series for youth baseball!  This marks the first time that a National Youth Sports Coaches Association (NYSCA) trained team has won such a high honor. The NYSCA website shows just how proud the association, league and community really are.

Protect Your Kids From Predators in Youth Sports

When sending their children to practice on youth sports team, do parents ever think that they are handing their children to a sexual predator?  For many, it is the last thing that crosses their mind.  They assume that they  can trust the people that are being put in contact with their children because they have been able to secure a spot as a coach or administrator on a local youth sports league.  It is the responsibility of the league administrators to do all in their power to protect these children.  It is unfortunate that not everyone is aware of the dangers that sexual predators pose nor are they aware of how this battle to protect our children can be fought.  In September 1999, Sports Illustrated published an article entitled “Every Parent’s Nightmare”. No other article that we have come across has been as in depth and in your face about this harsh reality. The article goes inside the heads of not just the average sexual predator, but the head and thought process of predators that found their victims on the ball field. They are making a combined effort to say, “This is HOW we got your children and this is WHAT you need to be on the lookout for.” 

Although there is no “fool proof” way to fully prevent sexual abuse and molestation, we can work together as a team to put safeguards in place in order to protect these children.  In collaboration with attorneys, insurance underwriters and national risk managers, we have developed information to provide our youth sports league administrators, coaches and volunteers with the tools needed in order to put a risk management program in place.  The Risk Management section of our website provides a Child Abuse and Molestation Protection Program, Child Abuse and Molestation Handout for Parents, as well as, specific information on how to perform criminal background checks and where to find them.  Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you would like any further information.