Wheelchair on the field

[BretMan]

Even before the UIC told you that, this has been in the rule book for sometime. So it's not something new. And not only does the rule cover both offensive and defensive players and coaches, it applies to umpires, too!

I've never had it come up, so I'm just going by what's in the book (R/S #55 and rule 4-2).

My reading is that it is mandated to comply with the American Disabilities Act. There is also a stipulation that it applies to players that meet the ADA's definition of "physically challenged".

That probably precludes somebody trying this "just for the fun of it".

[greymule]

Thanks, BretMan. Yeah, I see that now. That section has been expanded since I last read it, which was long ago.

So who gets sued when somebody breaks his neck after falling over the wheelchair?

[wadeintothem]

Lemme check my "things to worry about as an umpire" list..

yep, there it is! I found it! Right there below remembering to throw away those old line up cards that get stuffed into various pockets of your equipment bag.. "Worry about a kid suing me after getting injured on a softball field tripping over a wheel chair."

Ok, now that I'm done with that one, let me move up the worry list a few steps... where did I put those bicep pads I never wear and will never wear that came with my chest protector???? hmmm

[BretMan]

Originally Posted by greymule

So who gets sued when somebody breaks his neck after falling over the wheelchair?

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?

[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