Wheelchair on the field

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by BretMan

"Wheelchairs are allowed (wink, wink)...unless the umpire says they're not allowed...and nobody in their right mind is going to allow them...(so they're really not allowed)."

While Mike is correct about the "L" word, I don't think it is as cynical as you suppose.

There are, as previously noted, some amazing wheelchair athletes, and there continue to be developed athletic wheelchairs with designs specifically for high maneuverability, agility, etc.

The rule covers all, but judgment allows for case-by-case ruling.

Also note that none of the other playing rules get adjusted (ref: the earlier comments about obstruction).

The umpire, in the case of equipment like this, has the authority to rule on the safety as it pertains to the other players and on the effect on the nature of the game. Since the umpire's ruling applies ONLY to that ONE game, the effect of that umpire's judgment is very narrow, whereas the effect of a written rule is very broad.

[fitump56]

Originally Posted by greymule

We had a rules meeting tonight, and the ASA state UIC told us that if somebody wants to bat, field, or coach in a wheelchair, we have to permit the person to do so. Otherwise, we'll be getting a call from a lawyer, etc.

I'm wondering (1) how we can go along with that if we feel the presence of F3 in a wheelchair is unsafe, and (2) how we deal with somebody who is obviously not disabled but insists on using a wheelchair anyway (just to be a jerk).

Not that I think this is ever going to happen, but there are a lot of things going on today that I never thought I'd see.

1) You have no choice but if your org isn't providing proper insurance, shoot the head of it. That kills that snake. 2) See Number One.

hopefully your org has thought this ahead and requires these players or coaches be cleared (checked) first.

[fitump56]

Originally Posted by greymule
So who gets sued when somebody breaks his neck after falling over the wheelchair?

Originally Posted by BretMan

I don't know. How many lawyers can dance on the head of a pin? The wheelchair has a legal right to be there. The softball organization has a legal duty to comply with the ADA. Barring some willfull intent to cause harm by the chair user, maybe nobody gets sued. If the chair is there by the mandate of Federal legislation, whose "fault" is it that it's there?

Being sued and being sued successfully are 2 different things. Expect the lawsuits.

P.S. Lawyers dance on opur heads not on pins.

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by fitump56

Being sued and being sued successfully are 2 different things. Expect the lawsuits.

P.S. Lawyers dance on opur heads not on pins.

OTOH, there is no such thing as a cost-free lawsuit, even if not successful.

But then, we could sue the chair manufacturer for (1) making the chair field-usable and (2) not making it quicker to move.

[fitump56]

Originally Posted by fitump56
Being sued and being sued successfully are 2 different things. Expect the lawsuits.

P.S. Lawyers dance on opur heads not on pins.

Originally Posted by CecilOne

OTOH, there is no such thing as a cost-free lawsuit, even if not successful.

But then, we could sue the chair manufacturer for (1) making the chair field-usable and (2) not making it quicker to move.

I'm with ya'!

[wadeintothem]

Well was checking out the ASA Press releases.. found this interesting in light of this thread..

http://www.asasoftball.com/about/getStory.asp?nid=1535

[NCASAUmp]

Not trying to appear insensitive, but anyone think of the episode of Family Guy when Peter's neighbor, Joe, first moves in?

LET'S DO IT!

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

Not trying to appear insensitive, but anyone think of the episode of Family Guy when Peter's neighbor, Joe, first moves in?

LET'S DO IT!

Yeah. The replacement "ringer" on Peter's softball team.