VTponyump
07-01-2010, 06:43 PM
I am not a physician, but I am a 30 year veteran Nationally Registered Paramedic, with several instructor ratings including Pediatric Advanced Life Support and Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support, and am currently the Training Director at Vermont's largest and busiest EMS agency. I have lectured to our area coaches in several sports (as an EMS educator, not as an umpire) on the epidemic that concussion in youth sports has become.
The Centers for Disease Control have an excellent program called "Heads Up-Concussion in Youth Sports" that is free for the asking to any sports or EMS related folks. The link is http://www.cdc.gov/concussion/HeadsUp/youth.html and includes a coaches clipboard, wallet cards, etc that your taxes have already paid for, so don't hesistate in ordering one.
Players do not want to come out of the game, and may not even realize the seriousness of what has occurred. Coaches and parents also may not either realize a concussion has occurred, or may have other reasons (i.e. "star" player) for not removing the athlete from competition. It may fall to us umpires as "disinterested third parties" to step up and remove the player. The CDC guidelines read that if you even THINK the player has suffered a concussion, remove the player from play. It is better to miss a game now, than several later, or even worse.
I realize I am preaching to the choir, friends, but I need each of you to understand this: Concussion is a BRAIN INJURY. It is not a "ding" "stinger" "having your bell rung" or any other cutesy name we can give it. It is a brain injury, and we must call it what it is. It can occur with or without a loss of conciousness. A recent study of one youth hockey league during one season reported 379 concussions affecting just over 60% of the players; 37% required hospital evaluation. I realize that baseball does not put up those kind of numbers, fortunately, but the potential exists with every pitch.
I admittedly have a more discerning eye than most, but the player in the OP is done for the day on my field. I have removed players for less. Coaches may dislike it, but parents have thanked me afterwards.
I apologize for the lengthy post.
The Centers for Disease Control have an excellent program called "Heads Up-Concussion in Youth Sports" that is free for the asking to any sports or EMS related folks. The link is http://www.cdc.gov/concussion/HeadsUp/youth.html and includes a coaches clipboard, wallet cards, etc that your taxes have already paid for, so don't hesistate in ordering one.
Players do not want to come out of the game, and may not even realize the seriousness of what has occurred. Coaches and parents also may not either realize a concussion has occurred, or may have other reasons (i.e. "star" player) for not removing the athlete from competition. It may fall to us umpires as "disinterested third parties" to step up and remove the player. The CDC guidelines read that if you even THINK the player has suffered a concussion, remove the player from play. It is better to miss a game now, than several later, or even worse.
I realize I am preaching to the choir, friends, but I need each of you to understand this: Concussion is a BRAIN INJURY. It is not a "ding" "stinger" "having your bell rung" or any other cutesy name we can give it. It is a brain injury, and we must call it what it is. It can occur with or without a loss of conciousness. A recent study of one youth hockey league during one season reported 379 concussions affecting just over 60% of the players; 37% required hospital evaluation. I realize that baseball does not put up those kind of numbers, fortunately, but the potential exists with every pitch.
I admittedly have a more discerning eye than most, but the player in the OP is done for the day on my field. I have removed players for less. Coaches may dislike it, but parents have thanked me afterwards.
I apologize for the lengthy post.