caught in a catching conundrum

I'm a HS coach and I would totally appreciate a parent expressing this type of a concern. It is a health situation....period. As a parent you have the right to let the coach know about this situation whether the initial message was not relayed or dismissed. Be straightforward. Son may be pissed but he'll learn and understand soon.

Catcher probably isn't a good position for a kid with repeated concussions:

 

A concussion is a blow or jolt to the head that can change the way your brainnormally works. Cumulative concussion — or repeat blows to the head — can have long-term implications because oftentimes the brain does not have the chance to recover fully before another insult … and damage then piles upon damage. Recent studies on the cumulative effects of concussion in sports are showing that even mild concussions can result in serious long-term problems, especially if an athlete is allowed to return to play too early or has a history of previous concussions.

This is from:

 

 http://www.brainlinemilitary.o...tive_concussions.php

 

Indians catcher Carlos Santana had two concussions in two separate years (2012, 2014).  Partly as a consequence, the Indians opted NOT to use him as a catcher anymore.  He had already lost his starting job, but they decided not even to use him as a back-up. They decide it just wasn't worth the risk.  A third concussion can be a very serious business, because of cumulative nature of effects.  

Indians catcher/third baseman Carlos Santana is back from the seven-day concussion disabled list after missing a total of 10 days due to a foul tip to the mask.  Santana also had a concussion in 2012, so no doubt the Indians will monitor his status very closely and may opt against using him any more at catcher for a while.

Any contemporary coach, high school or travel,  should know this kind of thing.  If he doesn't he needs to learn  it. You can help begin this coach's education, if need be.  Regard it as part of your absolute duty as a parent. Your son also needs to understand the seriousness of concussions by the way and he needs to learn to self-advocate.  it's HIS health that is put a risk by any further concussions. That he is working out with the catchers suggest he may not realize how serious an issue multi-concussions can be. 

 

By the way,  I hope you took him to the doc.   Two concussions, especially near on to each other, is not the kind of thing you should just let take care of themselves. Sometimes after receiving serious concussions young players are told, even once they recover, that the should not play the sport again, since  the consequences of any further concussion could be very serious.  I know a young soccer player who had a serious concussion in high school -- just one -- and was advised by her doctor to give up soccer.  She had had aspirations of being a college soccer player.  But abandoned those because of her concussion. 

 

Most high schools now require a baseline to be established, using

https://www.impacttest.com/about/, or something similar.  Have the discussion with the coach.  There is no reason not to when it comes to your son's health!

I understand your apprehension, but your son's health is genuinely at risk. Talk to the coach... with the trainer if possible. He should not play catcher. Did the other 2 recent concussions happen during school sports? If not, they need to be documented by the school.

 

In high school, foul-tips are a much bigger risk than being hit by a bat. There's no way to prevent them.

 

Your situation could be tougher. At least your son isn't in love with the position.

 

Good luck.

 

http://espn.go.com/boston/mlb/...y-collins-assistance

 

The relevant point with your background info is the two concussions.  You let the coach make the decisions except when there are specific health issues that need to be considered.  Arm care and concussions fit squarely under that umbrella.  99% of coaches will respond appropriately to such concerns.

 

That said, I'm a bit confused about a few things... can I ask how the concussions occurred?  Why was it not clear to the travel coach that he would not be willing to catch due to this issue?  Why was it not clear with son that this would be a concern having had two recent concussions?

 

Also, of course you and son will have to be consistent.  If you are saying no to catching due to concussion concerns, then football, soccer, hockey and probably snowboarding should be out as well.

 

One of my sons has had three major concussions.  He loves every one of the sports listed as well as many others.  Not an easy situation.

Neither of the concussions happened while playing baseball. The first one was while you got it snowboarding and the second one he said he fell on the stairs. Not so sure about the second ones cause. I think he was wrestling with his friends. But, he's not owning up to it. The doctor said my son had a mild concussion. It has been 5 months since his second concussion and a year since the first. I didn't let him play basketball this year and he wasn't allowed to participate in gym. The foul tip thing is my main concern. I know you can't really protect yourself from them ie Alex Avila. I think the message from me to my son and his travel coach was clear. My son on the other hand has his goal to be on varsity. It really wouldn't surprise me if he didn't disclose this information to the coach. His travel coach who knows what went on there. I really try to let him deal with baseball matters on his own. Unfortunately he's young and dumb. So I will have to step in and try to straighten out the situation. I just hope that the HS coach isn't in the 1% of coaches.

I do think that concussions are certainly an appropriate issue you should discuss with the coach. It comes down to you, as the parent, to make a determination as to what is "too many" with regards to concussions. The medical industry has not yet determined what that number is, and quite frankly we never will. Why? Because each concussion is very individual. For one kid, he may be okay after having suffered 5-6 while another kid may find his career ended after just one. Two of them within a year is of concern.

 

I say this after having been concussed 2-3 times as a catcher growing up (minimum) and now dealing with concussions on the front-lines every day... 

 

Definitely can be scary stuff! 

 

I'll preface this by stating that I played football back in the day that there were no concussions.  There is no question that I suffered a few and played with them at the time they happened.  There is also no question, that 30 years later I believe I suffer from some of the effects.  No doubt concussions are serious business.  However, these days I think the pendulum has swung way over to one side.  We have become very over reactive and over protective.  Every time a kid bumps his head, he is out for weeks. 

 

Concussions are caused by physics -- The head and brain moving in one direction and then the skull moving rapidly in the other direction while the inertia of the brain keeps moving slamming into the wall of the skull.  IMO, a foul tip is low on the risk scale as compared to getting a knee while diving back to first, or diving for a ball in the outfield. 

 

Your kid having two previous concussions would put him in a higher risk group.  So here is the question.  What does his doctor think?  Is he cleared to play at all?  Does the Dr. see a significant risk from catching?  Consultation with an educated, experienced expert would be a good thing.  If the doctor says its not a good idea, then your job is easier -- "Drs. orders."  Good luck. 

 

 

First I would ask the travel coach what info he related back to HS coach. When he asked him if  can play catcher for HS, travel coach should have  told him about prior concussions and that he can't catch w travel team.

maybe HS coach wants him for bullpen catcher. 

After conversation w travel coach have one w son, esp if you re going to talk to HS coach next. Gives him heads up. Tell him he needs to learn to speak up where injury issues R concerned and his parents wouldn't have to talk to coach.

keep us posted

I would agree, to an extent, that sometimes we have become a little too conservative with regards to concussions. But I'd rather that than the alternative. I tell people that quite frankly if I were to evaluate every kid that hit their head we'd have two issues 1) We'd need about 10 more of me in order to evaluate them all! and 2) We wouldn't have any players left! That said, I do take concussions very seriously. What I am finding is that the average recovery time is ~25 days. I have seen concussions during this school year in football, girls soccer, cheerleading, girls basketball, softball, and baseball (in order of # of concussions). Additionally managed two concussions from car accidents.

 

As for risk of concussions in baseball, I disagree with you. I can say that I suffered a minimum of 2 due to foul tips (non-reported). Additionally, think about concussions we're seeing in MLB. Most of them are catchers and most are due to foul tips. I'd say the next group of concussions is batters getting hit in the head followed by pitchers getting hit....

Well there is not much data, but here is an interesting study.

 

http://www.jscimedcentral.com/...thopedics-2-1022.pdf

 

Of the 10 catchers in the study they were 30% of the injuries and only one was concussed by a foul tip.  Admittedly, not a lot to go on.   

When I first came on this board I told a story about a teammate I had my freshman year of high school. He and his parents didn't disclose that he had a neck fusion surgery when he was younger. Well he rounded 3rd in a JV game, the defense threw behind him, he dove back head first, and those were the last steps he ever took.

If you have any worries about your son's health then by all means please speak up. As a coach I don't know the extent of previous injuries of incoming players unless they tell me.

Baseball is just a game. I don't even know your son, but I want him to be able to have a normal life once he is done playing. So please relay your thoughts to the coach.

Hueysdad, you should talk to the coach.  He needs to be aware of the two concussions in the past year.  I don't think it is a conversation you need to worry about (our boys have had dozens of coaches over the years for various sports and I only found 1 to fall into the 1% category).  Just a quick "He's excited to be practicing, but he's had two concussions this year, so catching is too dangerous at this time, but he is happy to do anything else to help the team."  It's possible he and travel coach never touched base again, or that travel coach told him but he forgot due to trying to look at lots of different kids and get the ball rolling on this year's upcoming season.

 

Based on being in a cold climate, they are most likely pulling him in to get a look at his overall athleticism and baseball skills, not necessarily pinpointing him as a catcher.  They probably are not doing live hitting and just bullpen.  It gives them an opportunity to see a few extra kids.  We have 5-6 that gear up to catch bullpens during the month before tryouts but when the season rolls around usually only two will see playing time on the field.  This is something coach can confirm for you as well when you speak with him.  

 

Tell your son to enjoy his first year of high school ball!  The season will fly by!

 

 

People may draw different conclusions about the risks involved with playing different positions in baseball, but Golfman25 has nailed it with the bottom line... talk to a doctor.

 

If your son suffered from a heart condition or hemophilia or another condition that was more quantifiable, you probably wouldn't hesitate restricting his activities to protect him. Concussions are more difficult to diagnose and measure and "see". Your son may be more susceptible to head trauma than most. Seek out an expert. Best wishes.

Simply out of curiosity, why is the travel coach the go between for your relationship with the HS coach?