Ball Player Killed

[MikeStrybel]

I came across this one this morning.

Little Leaguer Hayden Walton dies while bunting | MLB.com: News

I was working the dish the other day during a heated HS playoff contest. The batter squared early and the pitcher delivered high. His assistant coach yelled, "When he shows that early, put it on his hands or in his body." Before I could even shake my head, his HC put a hand on his shoulder and prevented a more ridiculous statement on his part. I shook my head then and even more so now after reading the story above.

[briancurtin]

Damn. Sad story.


Had my first bunt HBP in quite some time around a month ago. Batter squared early and ended up taking a fastball in the cheek at just under 90. The kid was a tough MF'er -- didn't make a peep, just went down on a knee, spit out some blood, had the trainer make sure he was alright, then trotted down to first. It could have been a really bad situation but he somehow got it in a spot that didn't break anything.

[justanotherblue]

That was a sad incident no doubt. Physiologically, kids that age chest wall isn't very well protected, as they haven't developed their chest muscles yet. A hard hit can cause the heart to go into V-fib, which is probably what happend in this incident. It takes a hit just at the right moment during the caridac cycle, it's rare but obviouslly can happen.

[MikeStrybel]

I worked a HS playoff series this week at a neutral site. The HC for the host assiated with the plate conference ground rules and closed with, "We've got an AED on site too." It's not SOP around the Chicago area even though coaches must know CPR. Even then, unless an AED is present, VFIB will win out. Any of you have AEDs mandatory at HS or collegiate sites?

[Rich]

A parent on the LL Facebook page is already pushing for a required protective shirt or vest for all batters in LL. Fortunately, it's unlikely that this will happen -- it was a freak accident, the first such accident in LL since 1990 (and it was an 8-year-old then). This is tragic, but it happens rarely. It will happen again. We can't put our kids in bubblewrap.

That said, it's a tragedy for the parents, teammates, friends, league, and also the kid that pitched the baseball who likely will feel quite a bit of guilt about this for a long time to come, if not forever.

[jdmara]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

A parent on the LL Facebook page is already pushing for a required protective shirt or vest for all batters in LL. Fortunately, it's unlikely that this will happen -- it was a freak accident, the first such accident in LL since 1990 (and it was an 8-year-old then). This is tragic, but it happens rarely. It will happen again. We can't put our kids in bubblewrap.

That said, it's a tragedy for the parents, teammates, friends, league, and also the kid that pitched the baseball who likely will feel quite a bit of guilt about this for a long time to come, if not forever.

I rarely work youth baseball anymore. Not because I don't like working with the kids but more so that I can't deal with the parents half the time. Earlier in the year I got asked to do a youth tourney, it fit around my college schedule, so I did it. The first game the coach asked me, "do the players have to wear heart guards?" "Not that I'm aware of" "Ok, we have to for our league games and some of the other tournaments we do, I was just curious. They will probably wear them anyways". I had not heard that some leagues and tourney's "require" them.

-Josh

[justanotherblue]

Originally Posted by MikeStrybel

I worked a HS playoff series this week at a neutral site. The HC for the host assiated with the plate conference ground rules and closed with, "We've got an AED on site too." It's not SOP around the Chicago area even though coaches must know CPR. Even then, unless an AED is present, VFIB will win out. Any of you have AEDs mandatory at HS or collegiate sites?

Pre cordial thump...it works, if no pulse and no AED is available. I seem to recall, at least in my area, that the schools have to have an AED. Unfortunately, it's generally in the school...somewhere, not near the field. My grandkids LL does have an AED, if anyone really knows how to use it is another question. I'm not for mandating anything, I do like the padded undershirt. It has padding in the chest and sides. Not so much for the "heart-stopper" affect, but the fearless effect while fielding and batting.

[Ump Rube]

Originally Posted by justanotherblue

My grandkids LL does have an AED, if anyone really knows how to use it is another question.

You do not have to be trained to use most AEDs. It does come as part of most CPR classes now so you are familiar, but it tells you what to do and has very simple pictures showing how to apply the pads.

[yawetag]

Originally Posted by justanotherblue

Pre cordial thump...it works, if no pulse and no AED is available.

Not 100% of the time. It only works in certain situations.

Originally Posted by Ump Rube

You do not have to be trained to use most AEDs. It does come as part of most CPR classes now so you are familiar, but it tells you what to do and has very simple pictures showing how to apply the pads.

This. When I was the EMT Supervisor at a casino, we decided to see how well some of our employees could perform AED functions without any AED training. It was amazing how easily they figured it out.

[justanotherblue]

After 27 years of field experience as a Paramedic, I know how to use them as well as how to perform a pre-cordial thump. If your there at the time of the collapse, as in this case, a pre-cordial thump has a very good chance of working. Just as early defibrillation is a must in a successful resuscitation, rapid care is a must. I wouldn't recommend using a thump for anyone on this board or any umpire for that matter UNLESS, it's your job. Because of my background, I would administer care, I would be negligent if I didn't.

[ODJ]

Originally Posted by MikeStrybel

I worked a HS playoff series this week at a neutral site. The HC for the host assiated with the plate conference ground rules and closed with, "We've got an AED on site too." It's not SOP around the Chicago area even though coaches must know CPR. Even then, unless an AED is present, VFIB will win out. Any of you have AEDs mandatory at HS or collegiate sites?

While you were away, a similar event happened in Gurnee. The kid was hit in the chest between beats and the shock stopped his heart. He was lucky to have many doctors watching the game and survived.