Umpire removes child from game because of injury

I have no idea but I'm happy to hear he did. A 10 year old's health and well-being is more important than his team's win. 

I don't know about other youth rulesets,  but in FED, an umpire is required to disallow a player to continue if exhibiting signs of a concussion, unless cleared by proper medical personnel.

I agree - good for the umpire.  A concussion doesn't always present itself at the time of injury.  It can sometimes develop a few days to weeks after the initial injury.  This kid is 10 years old so he's got many games in front of him. 

Being a star a player and the team losIng should have nothing to do with pulling the kid out or letting him play. Child safety first, especially if it deals with a blow to the head.

I can't remember what team my son played on when he was 10, much less what games were won or lost. Losing a game means absolutely nothing, especially when balanced against a child's well being.

 

I hope an ump can remove a player for health reasons. 

Agreed.  There is no tournament or game, at any level of childhood sports, that is worth risking the health of a kid simply because the team wants to win.

 

Any competitive kid will want to play, at just about any age.  It is up to the adults to say, 'Wait a minute'.  I don't know if the kid really had a concussion or not but there is no point in risking it.

There's no such thing as too much caution when speaking about a possible concussion to a 10 year old kid. Good for the umpire.

 

I'm curious Barbara...was there backlash from the kid's team, coaches and/or parents?

Hi Tribe I agree it is better to lean on the side of safety.  I have no problem that the umpire decided to get him out.  I looked through the rule book and it only speaks to "showing signs of concussion" and yes there was a heavy debate about him pulled from the game. i also looked up our state laws and it is muddy ad well. Similar to the guidelines around pitching limits to protect a child's arm, maybe we need to modify the concussion rule to be less about the symptoms and more about the event, since symptoms take time manifest.

Hi Tribe I agree it is better to lean on the side of safety.  I have no problem that the umpire decided to get him out.  I looked through the rule book and it only speaks to "showing signs of concussion" and yes there was a heavy debate about him pulled from the game. i also looked up our state laws and it is muddy ad well. Similar to the guidelines around pitching limits to protect a child's arm, maybe we need to modify the concussion rule to be less about the symptoms and more about the event, since symptoms take time manifest.

Checked out by who? The coach? The parent? A healthcare provider trained in concussion management?

If there isn't a certified trainer or doctor doing the concussion exam and clearing him on the field, he should be removed from the game. No question, no doubt.

 

If he is a really a star, he'll play many more important games than this.

 

And oh by the way, at the higer levels, there will be a certified trainer in attendance and they are very likely to remove a kid with a head injury if the concussion test isn't perfect. In fact you could argue the probability of getting pulled is greater the higher the level of play (think HS, college, MiLB and MLB). They don't take ANY chances at the MiLB or MLB level. College coaches back the trainers. HS is probably hit or miss.

 

Doesn't seem fair to 10 year olds.

Of all the people in attendance the umpire is probably the most objective.

Good for the ump for thinking of what could be. Just imagine if the boy fell out later in the game what slack the ump would be taking; he did the right thing at that moment in time.

I guess the bigger question is: With the heightened awareness concerning concussions, why didn't the coach pull the child of his own accord. The child needed to be watched for a little bit. 

 

otoh, I know of a hs player who was airlifted after being hit just below the ear by a pitched ball. For fifteen minutes afterwards he seemed OK too. He was in the hospital for several days with a brain bleed and spent the majority of his summer is a dark room with no electronics. So maybe I'm a bit sensitive to the issue?

That ump was 100% correct in what he did. You only get one head if you know what I mean. 

 

If you haven't seen this documentary you should:

 

http://headgamesthefilm.com/

 

I looked in the rule book of common sense, and it said....., great call MR Ump!

In the last five minutes, an outfielder for the D-Backs, diving for a ball in the OF against the Mets hit his head on the warning track. He was slow to get up, examined by trainers and doctors and removed from the game. I would be surprised if he isn't placed on the 7 day concussion list tomorrow.

 

They need a list like this for all levels of baseball.

OK......In the rule book of common sense, its clear that the player should be removed....there is nothing important in a 10 yr old game that the players health can be jeopardized....but I can see an over zealous coach or parent rummaging through the rule book trying to see if we umpires can do that.....

 

I CAN........I WILL......I HAVE

 

starting here...

 

Rule 1.01- baseball is a game between two teams of nine layers played on an enclosed field under the jurisdiction of one out more umpires.

This establishes my authority...

 

Little League states it loosely like this....

 As sole judge and jury the umpire’s authority is unquestioned, but the dignity with which each umpire exercises his duties, the good judgment and common sense he applies in the interpretation of the Rule Book are the hallmarks of an efficient and well respected official. First and foremost, the safety of the children and the integrity of the game must be number one in the umpire’s mind and how he enforces and interprets the rules.

Little League clearly leaves this decision in the umpires hands...not only in enforcement but also in interpretation...

NFHS & NCAA

NFHS Rule 3-1-5
Have concussion rules.....a player struck in the head who exhibits signs consistent with a concussion "Shall be immediately removed from the game and shall not be permitted to return to play until cleared by an appropriate health care professional"......

 

Removed by who?.....and by who's judgment?...The umpire....and I am not a HCP.....I will err on the side of safety...a blow to the head that puts a 10 year old down on the field ...in my judgment deserves playing it safe.

 

Object?......be my guest.....wont change my opinion, but may, if you push me, exclude you from participating as well.......

 

If that isn't clear enough for the rule book searchers, I can go to.....

Rule 9.01

a. Umpires are responsible for the conduct of the game.

b. Umpire has the authority to order a player, coach, manager to do, or refrain from doing anything which affects the administering of the rules.

c. The GOD rule......The umpire has the authority to rule on any point not specifically covered in the rules.....

 

I don't do a lot of youth baseball anymore, but this is how I would rule and how i would back it up ........glad the umpire in the OP did the same.....