Minor league coach killed by line drive

With a wood bat!

Makes a great case for converting ALL leagues and levels to wood bat. If they were batting metal, this probably would have decapitated him!

[justanotherblue]

I've worked in parks when in the middle, it is hard as hell to see the ball coming off the bat. I would bet we all have been chased by those screaming foul balls that keep hooking right for you no matter where you go! When a simple step toward fair ground is all that is needed to avoid it. I can only imagine that he was somewhat distracted upon contact. I feel for his wife and kids.

[tarheelcoach]

One day I was coaching 1B for a 13u travel team when one of big boys ripped one off my shoulder. There was no way I could move in time. Part of the problem was I was down the line and a step out of the box (closest to the plate). Another reason to make sure coaches stay in their boxes!
On another board, a poster brought up the thought that youth leagues may start required coaches to wear helmets when on the field. Interesting thought, especially in the lower levels when you are so close to the plate.

[DonInKansas]

Originally Posted by tarheelcoach

On another board, a poster brought up the thought that youth leagues may start required coaches to wear helmets when on the field. Interesting thought, especially in the lower levels when you are so close to the plate.

If they were hitting the ball as hard as the big boys, that might make sense. But thats why they play on small fields.

Sounds silly to me.

[fitump56]

Originally Posted by DonInKansas

If they were hitting the ball as hard as the big boys, that might make sense. But thats why they play on small fields.

Sounds silly to me.

Now you see why I didn't give your lesson in reaction times to you? It would have been deleted as my free offer to educate you was.

Don't worry, I have an entire new post on this which you can be enlightened. Now just sit there and don't go ballistic again and this post of mine you will stick. Get out your 3x5 spiral and sharpen your pencil.

[bob jenkins]

I heard briefly on the radio yesterday that the autopsy showed the cause of death as being a crushed artery in the neck. Does this mean that a helmet wouldn't have protected him?

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

I heard briefly on the radio yesterday that the autopsy showed the cause of death as being a crushed artery in the neck. Does this mean that a helmet wouldn't have protected him?

In a sad but related story to this discussion....

http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=6841489

[Eastshire]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

I heard briefly on the radio yesterday that the autopsy showed the cause of death as being a crushed artery in the neck. Does this mean that a helmet wouldn't have protected him?

Could be. Unfortunately, it is not possible to protect ourselves from all dangers. I really don't think there would be any significant benefit from mandating that base coaches wear helmets. How often do they actually get injured at all?

Sometimes bad things happen

[Mark Dexter]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

I heard briefly on the radio yesterday that the autopsy showed the cause of death as being a crushed artery in the neck. Does this mean that a helmet wouldn't have protected him?

In all likelihood, yes.

[OzUmp]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

I heard briefly on the radio yesterday that the autopsy showed the cause of death as being a crushed artery in the neck. Does this mean that a helmet wouldn't have protected him?

This is effin scary. I saw just this weekend an ump take a 85 mph fastball right off the carotid artery. Apparently catcher called for a curve. That is not what was thrown. Ump stayed in there like we are taught to do and somehow the ball got in between his chest protector and face mask and got all meat. Dropped him like a sack of potatoes. You could see the contour of the skin go bumpy where he got hit.

[fitump56]

Originally Posted by tarheelcoach

One day I was coaching 1B for a 13u travel team when one of big boys ripped one off my shoulder. There was no way I could move in time. Part of the problem was I was down the line and a step out of the box (closest to the plate). Another reason to make sure coaches stay in their boxes!
On another board, a poster brought up the thought that youth leagues may start required coaches to wear helmets when on the field. Interesting thought, especially in the lower levels when you are so close to the plate.

They make the players when they coach base. Young life loss is more tragic? Maybe. Any life loss is not?

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by fitump56

They make the players when they coach base. Young life loss is more tragic? Maybe. Any life loss is not?

Adults are allowed to wear helmets.

The difference isn't the "value" of the life; it's that adults are (generally) considered able to make their own choice while children need to be "forced" to protect themselves.

[johnnyg08]

I really don't see how this could happened...I've had screamers and I mean screamers hit at me and the ball has never come close (yes, probably lucky)...but I still don't understand how...except for some random fluke of a hop how an umpire other that PU should ever get hit by a batted ball. Sad, sad story about the Rockies coach...probably wasn't paying attention or something like that...what a tragedy!

[DG]

Originally Posted by johnnyg08

I really don't see how this could happened...I've had screamers and I mean screamers hit at me and the ball has never come close (yes, probably lucky)...but I still don't understand how...except for some random fluke of a hop how an umpire other that PU should ever get hit by a batted ball. Sad, sad story about the Rockies coach...probably wasn't paying attention or something like that...what a tragedy!

I agree. I expect he was not paying attention to the ball at the time. It's the only explanation for how a former major league player could get hit by a batted ball.

[fitump56]

Originally Posted by johnnyg08

I really don't see how this could happened...I've had screamers and I mean screamers hit at me and the ball has never come close (yes, probably lucky)...but I still don't understand how...except for some random fluke of a hop how an umpire other that PU should ever get hit by a batted ball.

Balls either grounded or aired can produce paths that will exceed reaction times. This is also a factor of # of games, I believe, having past my 1,000th.