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The answer to the personal injury liability question is remarkably similar to the ADA question: conduct an individualized assessment of the risk. Deciding who can be on the field based upon a factual investigation of the particular coach's capabilities means: first, you've met the requirements of the ADA even if you conclude that there is an actual safety isssue that can't be accomodated. Second, you've met the test for negligence if you have taken reasonable steps to identify and avoid risks of injury not inherent in the game even if you conclude that there is no basis to ban the person from the field.
Prejudiced people don't think they are prejudiced. They can calmly and rationally discuss their point of view, but it usually is based on the belief that all [whatever] are the same. If we can't see a disabled person as an individual and see past the crutches and the wheelchair, we are prejudiced.
Baseball is a game in which there always is a risk of personal injury. The issue always is how much risk is acceptable. In each of the cases I read under the ADA, the coach, like Mr. Oddi, had been on the field for several years without any incident. Indeed, we've all seen collisions with a base coach who was not disabled but distracted. That's part of the game as well. The leagues lose under the ADA when they can't say why they banned this person and identify a specific risk that this person imposed.
Umpires can take a leading role in this world. Rather than make a ruling based on fear and assumption ("no crutches on my field"), the umpire can make a ruling based on the law. ("Coach, we need to have the league or association perform an individualized assessment of your abilities and the risks of any injury before I can let you on my field.")
It's up to each of us to decide what to do. But, umpires who believe they are above the law won't be umpiring in the future. No league or association can afford to carry those who won't or can't follow the ADA.
As to Casey Martin, I still can't figure out why the PGA claims that golf carts are inconsistent with the game of golf when every golf course makes me rent one.
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