ASA Softball Takes Steps To Protect Players Against Hot Bats

Check out the link below for an interesting Q & A from ASA Softball on how they are addressing the issue of hot bats with their bat testing protocol. The article discusses compression testing performed in the field by ASA personnel, lab testing, non approved bat lists, and Track Man Doppler radar to test batted ball speeds under actual field conditions. 

Bat Testing ASA

Source: SODA special report on ASA Press Release, April 2011

New State Laws On Sports Concussions Protect And Increase Liability

“A Washington State law that mandates strict procedures for handling youth athletes’ concussions has served as a template for similar policies. It has helped shape laws in several other states….”

“Modern guidelines state that athletes of all ages and in all sports, after sustaining a concussion, should not return to play until they display no symptoms (like dizziness, headaches, nausea or sensitivity to light or sound) both before and after gradually increasing physical exertion. It is less known that students feeling symptoms should be advised not to tax their cognitive function by playing video games or even studying too hard.”

“Another player’s mother, who asked the Sequim School District to begin a baseline neuropsychological testing program — which can assist in evaluating when a player has recovered and can return to play — was told that such testing, “due to liability and legal issues, is not recommended either by the insurance provider” or the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association.”

“If you purchase the program, you better be using it consistently and properly, because if you don’t, that opens up liability,” Linville said. “If you don’t own it at all, then you do not have that liability, and you are not responsible.”

The national media has recently covered high profile lawsuits involving serious injuries and deaths resulting from players returning to action too soon after a concussion and suffering a second, serious or fatal injury. In addition, studies on NFL athletes have highlighted concerns over the long term effects of repeated concussions.

A number of groups have recently lobbied congress and state legislatures for the passage of concussion protection laws such as the one referenced in the article. Many experts are trying to set new standards for more advanced concussion care, which includes a pre season neuropsychological cognitive test to establish a baseline for comparison after a concussion. It is believed that comparing the post injury test to the pre injury baseline is the best way to determine appropriate return to play protocol.

However, such testing can cost up to $10.00 per athlete and requires administrative scheduling and expense. In addition, once a sports organization adopts any safety standard, failure to fully implement can result in liability. 

The testing normally involves hiring a firm to bring in computer equipment with specialized software to a pre determined location to administer testing for all program athletes that can take up to 30 minutes per athlete. 

The debate and discussion on the topic of sports concussions and return to play protocol will result in better educated medical professionals, coaches, trainers, and parents. 

I recommend that you read the New York Times article in its entirety.

Source: The New York Times

Video Explains Soccer Goal Tip Over Hazards

I came across a fantastic CBS News video that explains exactly how soccer goals tip over and kill at least 1 child per year and injure around 200. Soccer goals can weigh up to several hundred pounds and cause catastrophic damage (ex: crush skulls and legs) when they tip over and come in contact with players. Coaches, players, and parents need to be educated on this topic and should check soccer goals prior to every practice to make sure they are properly anchored.

Sports General Liability insurance carriers that insure soccer organizations must often absorb full policy limit lawsuits resulting from these death claims.

Video

LAWSUIT SETTLED OVER DEATH OF KENTUCKY HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYER

The wrongful death lawsuit for 15 year old Max Gilpin, who collapsed at Pleasure Ridge High School in August of 2008 and died three days later, has been settled for $1.75 million.

After Max’s death, his parents sued head coach Jason Stinson and five of his assistants. 

The settlement has been confirmed to The Courier-Journal by Lawyers of both sides and states that it enclosed no acknowledgment of liability by the defendants.

Source: Insurance Journal 

Sharing The Road With Golf Carts Raises Safety Issues

“Kristopher Seluga, a mechanical engineering and safety expert who conducts studies on golf cart safety, says he is frustrated every time he reads of another death or injury to a child.                                       

“In so many of the articles they use the term ‘freak accident,’ he says. “It’s not. It happens all the time.”

Statistics compiled by the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission show that each year, about 13,000 golf cart-related accidents require emergency room visits, and that number is rising as the economical, fun-to-drive carts become more popular on city streets, Of those accidents, about 40 percent involve children younger than 16, and half of those are due to a fall from a moving golf cart.”

“Seluga studies, using golf carts and child-size crash dummies, suggest that many ejections occur during left turns. He says children are susceptible to falling because of their small size and center of gravity, and they aren’t strong enough to hold on to railings that help adults.

Additionally, the railing next to the seat on the passenger side acts as a fulcrum for children, causing them to go up and over during a left turn, making it more likely they will land on their heads, he says.

“I’m a strong advocate of seat belts for everyone, but especially for children,” Seluga says. “I would forbid anyone to ride whose feet don’t rest on the floorboard.”    

Fred Somers, lawyer and secretary for the National Golf Car Manufacturers Association, disputes the safety benefits of seat belts on slow-moving golf cars because people need to be able to quickly jump out of a golf car in a rollover.  Otherwise, you could be crushed if the golf cart rolls and you don’t have a crush-proof canopy. 

On the other hand, Seluga states that he does not know of any deaths caused by rollovers where the riders were wearing seat belts.  And agrees that trying to compel golfers to wear them on the golf course would be unrealistic.

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration created the Low Speed Vehicle category to regulate safety in 1997 as golf carts began steering off the golf courses and onto the streets.  All vehicles capable of reaching 20 to 25 mph are required to have seat belts and other safety devices.  The safety administration includes golf cars, neighborhood electric vehicles, and personal neighborhood vehicles in this category.

The most common golf carts used on the streets go slower than 20 mph and are more popular since they are less expensive.   They are not regulated unless specific local or state governments have implemented laws.   

In my opinion
Most golf cart accidents that we see in the sports context involve injuries when the golf cart strikes a pedestrian.  In addition, we have seen claims arising from accidents where youth operators have been transporting spectators from parking areas to ball fields.         John Sadler

Source:  Insurance Journal, 2010

Oversized Baseball Helmets Being Used In Minor Leagues

The new helmets are not popular with players, but they can withstand pitches up to 100mph.  A must-use equipment in the minors this year, the Rawlings S100 helmet includes an expanded liner made of polypropylene for more protection. 

“I don’t even look in the mirror,” said Justin Turner, an infielder for the Norfolk Tides, The Triple-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles.  “I think they’re ridiculous.  I’ve been hit in the face in the College World Series.  There’s got to be a way to put more protection in the helmet and not have them look that atrocious,” he said. 

“New York Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli is the only big leaguer wearing one on a regular basis.  He’d already sustained a couple of concussion when manger Joe Girardi persuaded Cervelli to pick safety over style.  “It’s ugly,” Cervelli said in spring training, adding, “It’s not about how it looks, I’ve got to take care of myself.” 

It will be interesting to see how the new helmets are accepted in minor league baseball and their impact on concussions.  If favorable, the trend could spread to the major leagues, colleges, and high schools.  Its not clear if the pitch speeds in youth baseball justify the extra protection at this point.

Source:  Insurance Journal, May 28, 2010  

Rawlings S-100