Is there a Dr. in da house

[eagle_12]

Please show me where it says that we can limit due to a concussion, let alone a "suspected" concussion.

[azbigdawg]

Originally Posted by eagle_12

Please show me where it says that we can limit due to a concussion, let alone a "suspected" concussion.

different sport (Softball) FED rules...... Batter takes a pitch of the helmet..happens a lot..no big deal, right? well instead of going to first, she just stands there....shakes her head....and shakes it again.... I talk to her, and she doesnt respond... I tell her to look at me, and she finally looks in my direction and her eyes are unfocused.....I figured it was a concussion then, and NO WAY IN HELL was she going to continue that game. Report me, whatever. The trainer then comes up and tells me its her 3rd ONE SINCE THE start of the school year! 2 in BASKETBALL, and now this one. I told the trainer and head coach that tehre was no way she was continuing, and in my unexpert opinon, she shouldnt be playing any sports for a LONG time! (ever?)
I wrote a letter to the state association..never heard anything back..my point is...Im going to err on the side of caution...fed game, concussion= trip to the doctor, and doctors note. Period.

[lawump]

I'm not a health care professional...and, frankly, I haven't read all the posts in this thread: I'm too tired and its too late.

However, I will add, that as an attorney, I advise all my umpire friends:

If they themselves have first-hand knowledge that a player became "apparently unconscious" OR they are told from a reliable source (i.e. a trainer, coach, etc.) that the player was unconscious...there is no friggin' way that player is coming back in the game unless I receive a note (in triplicate ) signed by a MEDICAL DOCTOR (MD). Period, end of discussion.

[Mrumpiresir]

This thread has gone on too long.

A. I let a player with a suspected concussion return to play

1. He may not be reinjured
2. He may be reinjured due to his decreased ability to play

a. I may not be sued.
b. I may be sued.

1. I may win the lawsuit.
2. I may be found negligent.

a. I may not lose all I own
b. I might lose my house, my car, any savings I have etc.

B. I do not allow him to play

1. The coach will agree he should not play
2. The coach and the parents will think I am an OOO.

I can live with option B.

[t-rex]

Coach: "I'm bringing Johnson back in to catch. Number 4."
Umpire: "Isn't he the one who was hit in the head?"
Coach: "Yeah, our trainer checked him out. He's fine"
Umpire: "I'm not letting him in. He was hit in the head and he should sit."
Trainer: "I checked him out. I followed our shool's protocol for head injuries. I watched while he did some sit-ups and deep knee bends. It is my opinion that he is fit to play."
Umpire: "I need a note from a doctor. Until then, he sits."
Coach: "Are you saying that he was unconscious?"
Umpire: "No, I am saying that because he was hit in the head he could have a concussion, and I need a note to allow him to re-enter."
Coach: "I protest your application of 10-2-3k."

[socalblue1]

Originally Posted by t-rex

Coach: "I'm bringing Johnson back in to catch. Number 4."
Umpire: "Isn't he the one who was hit in the head?"
Coach: "Yeah, our trainer checked him out. He's fine"
Umpire: "I'm not letting him in. He was hit in the head and he should sit."
Trainer: "I checked him out. I followed our school's protocol for head injuries. I watched while he did some sit-ups and deep knee bends. It is my opinion that he is fit to play."
Umpire: "I need a note from a doctor. Until then, he sits."
Coach: "Are you saying that he was unconscious?"
Umpire: "No, I am saying that because he was hit in the head he could have a concussion, and I need a note to allow him to re-enter."
Coach: "I protest your application of 10-2-3k."

If IMO there was any chance the player suffered a concussion I can live with that and will have the full backing of our association.

I just happen to have a significant amount of training & experience (EMT, mountain rescue) and can rather easily determine the risk factors present in allowing the player to return.

My suggestion to any game official is this: weigh the risk - if you feel the player was suffered sufficient head injury that you are not comfortable with his/her return keep them out. No HS game is worth a child's future.

[jicecone]

My suggestion to any game official is this: weigh the risk - if you feel the player was suffered sufficient head injury that you are not comfortable with his/her return keep them out. No HS game is worth a child's future.[/QUOTE]

Amen

[Rich]

Originally Posted by t-rex

Coach: "I'm bringing Johnson back in to catch. Number 4."
Umpire: "Isn't he the one who was hit in the head?"
Coach: "Yeah, our trainer checked him out. He's fine"
Umpire: "I'm not letting him in. He was hit in the head and he should sit."
Trainer: "I checked him out. I followed our shool's protocol for head injuries. I watched while he did some sit-ups and deep knee bends. It is my opinion that he is fit to play."
Umpire: "I need a note from a doctor. Until then, he sits."
Coach: "Are you saying that he was unconscious?"
Umpire: "No, I am saying that because he was hit in the head he could have a concussion, and I need a note to allow him to re-enter."
Coach: "I protest your application of 10-2-3k."

He appeared to momentarily lose consciousness. Play ball.

Protest that.

[t-rex]

The key to my post was not in that the coach can protest. The key is that the trainer followed a protocol.

The Fed provides guidelines for institutions to use in setting up protocols for dealing with head injuries. This document is found at the NFHS web site under Sports > Sports Medicine > Information on Concussions.

This document also discusses what coaches and administrators can look for if they are without a trainer or other "trained and knowledgeable" individuals at their games or practices, they being in a position to compare the athlete's normal behavior against how this person is behaving post injury.

I believe NFHS would like to see a more rigorous set of criteria placed on how to deal with returning players to action after suffering a potential head injury, but the only mandate that is written is found in 10-2-3k.

Basically, NFHS is leaving it up to the schools to decide how to deal with these situations, but in extreme cases where a player is attempting to return after losing consciousness, they have asked the umpires to prevent re-entry.

Umpires are not being asked to enforce the guidelines as suggested to the schools, or even the guidelines that the CDC may suggest. My point is only to show that the bar for when we can step in is limited.

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by t-rex

Coach: "I protest your application of 10-2-3k."

Duly noted, play ball.