What Youth Sports Administrators Have in Common with Paterno, Spanier, Curley & McQuery

Do you realize how much YOU have in common with Joe Paterno, Graham Spanier, Tim Curley and Mike McQuery?  No, these men did not commit the physical crimes against children, as did Jerry Sandusky.  However, they are responsible and liable for their own actions when there is even a hint that someone is abusing a child.  This blog isn’t specifically about the Penn State case and who was (or wasn’t) fired, that will all pan out in court, but it is a REALITY check for all involved with youth that no one is invincible.

While the Penn State case is making national headlines because of its legendary coach and it’s football program, understand that this happens FREQUENTLY in youth sports.  Most of our readers are involved in teams/leagues/youth programs in one-way or the other. Are you a coach, athletic director, team mom or a parent on the side-lines?  Whatever your position, today is the day to step back and realize where exactly you fit into the lives of the kids participating in your youth sports organization.   You are there to protect them at all cost.

Some time ago, we did a blog on Protect Your Kids From Predators In Youth Sports.  This blog is a must read for anyone that has or is involved with children. It includes an article from Sports Illustrated from actual predators in youth programs saying “This is how we got away with it …this is how you protect your kids.” (Example from the article, Did you know, Studies have found that the average preferential molester victimizes about 120 children before he is caught? DISTURBING). It also contains useful Risk Management guidelines that can be implemented TODAY!

For more articles on preventing sexual abuse and molestation, visit our blog.

Shart this with others so that we all can make a difference.

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

Recertification and Reconditioning of Sports Equipment

We came across an excellent webpage from Riddell on their sports uniforms and equipment reconditioning, and recertification process to meet strict standards for athletic equipment.  This reconditioning process fights bacteria, viruses and mold, which reduces health risks.  Once the process is completed, a final inspection is done to recertify the equipment and uniforms according to the original manufacturing condition.  Click on the following link to see a video and learn more about the benefits of reconditioning and recertification. 

Source: Riddell

ASMI Releases Position On Safety For Youth Baseball Pitchers

The American Sports Medicine Institute has released its position statement on best practices for youth pitchers in avoiding injuries.

 Of particular interest is the statement that throwing curve balls is not a risk factor in youth shoulder and elbow injuries but……. this does not mean that youth pitchers don’t need to take precautions before doing so.

 The position statement addresses how to avoid overuse, mandatory 4 month rest periods, and pitch counts.

www.asmi.org/asmiweb/position_statement.htm

 Source: ASMI

Report: Recession Impacts Youth Baseball Participation

Head Injuries and Concussions in Youth Sports

All types of sports carry some type of inherit risk. But what are these risks? For contact sports, a very common occurrence is the concussion (defined by Websters as “a stunning, damaging, or shattering effect from a hard impact; a jarring injury of the brain resulting in disturbance of cerebral function.”) According to the CNN report below, there is increasing evidence that brain damage actually occurs during a concussion.

Participation Question: What are some ways that your local organization has been pro-active in preventing head injuries or putting measures into place to nurture the injury, or prevent further injury, once it has occurred?