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3 rd inning Pitcher pitches ball, batter hits ball back to pitcher, ball hits the ground and hits 10 year in the pitcher in the head. Child goes down, gets back up feels better, checked out by several people, says he wants to play, parent agrees. Umpire disagrees, child removed from the entire game. Kid is star player, team loose game. Can umpire remove child from a entire game

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Originally Posted by barbara:

3 rd inning Pitcher pitches ball, batter hits ball back to pitcher, ball hits the ground and hits 10 year in the pitcher in the head. Child goes down, gets back up feels better, checked out by several people, says he wants to play, parent agrees. Umpire disagrees, child removed from the entire game. Kid is star player, team loose game. Can umpire remove child from a entire game

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.

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.

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.
Originally Posted by barbara:

3 rd inning Pitcher pitches ball, batter hits ball back to pitcher, ball hits the ground and hits 10 year in the pitcher in the head. Child goes down, gets back up feels better, checked out by several people, says he wants to play, parent agrees. Umpire disagrees, child removed from the entire game. Kid is star player, team loose game. Can umpire remove child from a entire game


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

Originally Posted by barbara:

3 rd inning Pitcher pitches ball, batter hits ball back to pitcher, ball hits the ground and hits 10 year in the pitcher in the head. Child goes down, gets back up feels better, checked out by several people, says he wants to play, parent agrees. Umpire disagrees, child removed from the entire game. Kid is star player, team loose game. Can umpire remove child from a entire game

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.

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?

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.....

 

 

 

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