Lightning... and Tragedy.

[BrianC14]

http://www.comcast.net/video/boy-dies-after-lightning-strike/1141444414/Comcast/popular/

It could happen to any of us, or to any of our children. What a tragic thing to happen. :(

[catoblue]

Yeah - I heard about it on the radio this morning - sad that the parents saw fit to let the kids stay on the field after the umps called the game.

On another forum there was a topic about rats having a problem with the ump stopping the game for lightning, this tragedy should help illustrate that when we see lightning or hear thunder, it's time to get everyone off the field and under cover.

Here's a detailed write-up from the newspaper:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/03/AR2009060304205.html?hpid=moreheadlines

[MCLEOD36]

Bri,
Thank you for putting this here as well. It is very tragic, and with rainy season occurring in places like FLA, we just have to be very careful. In this case, the umpires cleared the field, but two boys including the coaches son decided to continue to play catch in the outfield. I am sure our very wise brother in blue still felt sick on the outcome.

[BrianC14]

Bri,
Thank you for putting this here as well. It is very tragic, and with rainy season occurring in places like FLA, we just have to be very careful. In this case, the umpires cleared the field, but two boys including the coaches son decided to continue to play catch in the outfield. I am sure our very wise brother in blue still felt sick on the outcome.

Washington Post article states that the investigating officer said the boys stayed on the field "under parents supervision"; agreed about the umpire - - I know I'd be sick about this.... hell, I am sick about this... :(

[Dano]

2 years ago. Umpiring a HS JV game.

Storms moving through.

We start the games early and then the lightning starts. I am PU and move the kids to the dugouts.

AD brings out the "Lightning Detector". 10 mins later he says it is all clear. The kids start to come out and then lightning flashes directly overhead.

Now then, as a former cop, I have taken Storm Spotter classes (not an expert by any means) and at that point I say that I will be making the decision when we will resume play.

After ALL is cleared out we resume play.

About the 5th or 6th inning a batter walks to first. I am still scanning the sky and keeping an eye on things and lo and behold I look and spot a funnel cloud in the distance.

I call time, go to the AD and he says he has been watching it for several minutes.

UGGGH.

I clear the dugouts and we go to the high school shelter room until everything clears out.

About 30 minutes later, the storms were gone, along with the clouds and we had a peaceful end to the evening.



This is tragic what happened. I would much rather have Coaches / Parents screaming than grieving.

[torquer]

http://www.comcast.net/video/boy-dies-after-lightning-strike/1141444414/Comcast/popular/

It could happen to any of us, or to any of our children. What a tragic thing to happen. :(

Sad sad story. I'm bettin a lawsuit will follow shortly. LL, umps, you name it. I just hope they all have very good insurance coverage.

Jess

[Dano]

Sad sad story. I'm bettin a lawsuit will follow shortly. LL, umps, you name it. I just hope they all have very good insurance coverage.

Jess


The parents gonna sue themselves?

[ws32]

Torquer:
Did you bother to read the article before that stupid statement? The umpires cleared the field.

[torquer]

Torquer:
Did you bother to read the article before that stupid statement? The umpires cleared the field.

Read the article. Still won't stop a bottomfeeding lawyer. Have a friend of mine that was in a similar situation in a HS game. They sued everyone. Didn't matter if it was related. I hope not but wouldn't be surprised. So stupid or not, its the society we live in that will try to assuage whatever they feel to a lawyers wiles!!!!

Jess

[torquer]

The parents gonna sue themselves?

No just LL. I can see when LL ballparks will make folks leave the site.

Jess

[postman]

When you are a lawyer, the moto is "sue everyone and let the court's figure it out". And yes, difference between filing 'suit' and having/winning a claim. who knows what the parent of the kid will do. Not enough information. But if parent of dead kid wasn't there, then someone (if not everyone) will most likely get sued. Court will figure out who, if anyone, is liable.

said story. And yes, we all get thunder and lightening and I have seen more than one game go on longer than a parent wants and I have seen some coaches (particularly if they winning), complain when an ump calls it. People will not learn that this is just a game. said to hear.

at least in this case someone had sense to call it. could have been worse. I remember story in an area where I lived before this that a whole football team got zapped because they were all on the field and the coaches kept them out there. fortunately, no deaths but a couple of kids injuries were fairly serious. Never heard the final outcome of recovery of the kids though.