[Larks]

To reiterate:

5th Grade game, first half. A6 had played but was on the bench at the time. Right before an inbounds play A's coach calls out to me that he needed a time out b/c he had a problem with a kid. I looked over and see this kid sitting there. Head down with his left hand grasping his neck. I say "no prob, whats wrong?" The coach informs me that A6 is having a Diabetic Seizure. We stop the game...send the kids to their respective benches while coach and mom (came out of the stands) attend to him. He did not move from this position for several minutes. After a couple min, he comes to. He and his mom leave the gym area. His coach informs me that this happens and he will be fine to everyones relief.

The key thing here to me is that I didnt have to determine he was unconscious or that he was having a diabetic seizure...his coach told me he was and that this has happened once or twice before. So as an official I was told by a team representative that a team member had a seizure which according to the med folks above equals unconscious.

Half time...A6 participates in warm ups and starts the 2nd half. He seemed like every other kid out there...no signs of any problems.

At first, I was ok with my decision but it was after a couple hours of reflection and reading the replies here, I feel I should have not allowed him to return with all due respect to MTD and the rules regarding players and team members. If there was a Doc in the house willing to sign off...thats different.

I think a rule change should be made in the NF to say ANY TEAM MEMBER rather than ANY PLAYER who is unconscious in the officials judgment can not return. I like the word judgement because it gives us lots of wiggle room to make a decision.

Larks