Doing the Right Thing

[pitchcoach]

While watching a game (16U), a fielder running for a pop-up, turned his leg and then wrenched his hips, because of some sort of rut in the outfield, then collapsed in pain.

His coach, a few adults, and a number of curious on-lookers gathered around the youngster, but nobody offered any kind of help for the kid.

I found the situation odd - seeing all these people around the kid, watching him rock back and forth on the ground, holding his knee, his ankle, then rubbing the small of his back..

After a few moments, the base umpire separated the gathering and bent down and talked to the kid, calming him down. He also took off his jacket so the kid had something to rest his head on, as he stretched back and relaxed a bit. The BU new enough to keep the kid somewhat immobile, noticing the ankle swelling and the kid’s reaction to his lower back. When his coach suggested to one of the players ..” help him up so we can get on with this”.... the BU would have none of it. “He says put, till somebody, who knows what there doing, can look at him.”

After a few minutes went by, the base ump asked had anyone called an ambulance. Not a sole took an interested in answering. ( I did immediately, the moment the kid went down and rolled with signs of pain) So, no sooner did he (BU) flip open his cell, around the parking lot came an ambulance.

Turned out, the paramedics remarked how fortunate for the kid that no one tried to move him. I folded my lawn chair and left. I also left a group of adults that had about as much sympathy for their fellow man as sheep would, watching one of their own being taken down by a wolf.

I don’t know where you people come from, and how you can stomach some of these people. But I do know that there is one kid that can thank his lucky starts that a base umpire took the time and the compassion to do the right thing. As if you guy/gals don’t have enough on your plate.

[kcfan102]

that's a cool story

However, I would not lay one finger on the kid. Give him space and tell others not to touch him is ok, but I'm not touchin him.

And.... why does BU have a cell phone?

[JaxRolo]

that's a cool story

However, I would not lay one finger on the kid. Give him space and tell others not to touch him is ok, but I'm not touchin him.

And.... why does BU have a cell phone?

Make sure someone is getting help.

As far as a cell phone I always have mine so I can text my partner if he is a little hi or low with the strike zone (just kidding)

[JamesC]

And.... why does BU have a cell phone?

My thoughts exactly!

Although I do agree with pitchcoach, people have begun to realize that no matter how bad situations are, it's very risky to try to help someone out. You never know when you trying to help someone out could turn out to you being broke and homeless because they decided to sue you for every penny you've ever worked for! It's a sad thing the way people try to make money these days. Instead of getting out there and working their ass off for it like most people do, there are always the ones looking for an easy fortune! Very sad!

[JaxRolo]

My thoughts exactly!

Although I do agree with pitchcoach, people have begun to realize that no matter how bad situations are, it's very risky to try to help someone out. You never know when you trying to help someone out could turn out to you being broke and homeless because they decided to sue you for every penny you've ever worked for! It's a sad thing the way people try to make money these days. Instead of getting out there and working their ass off for it like most people do, there are always the ones looking for an easy fortune! Very sad!

On the other hand you are in an authoritative position. If you do nothing you could also get sued

[mstaylor]

I did a girl's soccer scrimmage a couple of years ago. My partner was a no show so I'm working by myself. A girl gets wacked in the penalty box and goes down hard. I stop play, go in to check her to see if I need the coach. She says she heard something crack and she had pain in her pelvis. I bring her coach on, no trainer that day, and the next thing I know Dad is there. I explain what she said and he wants to pick her up. I told him I wanted EMS there to take care of it. He says he doesn't need it, the girl's mother is a DR. I ask if she is there, no she wasn't. I repeat I want medical help before moving her. He says he knows his daughter and it will be fine. He picks her up, puts her on a Gator and takes her to the school. Turns out she had a broken pelvis. What a moron.

[moblue]

And.... why does BU have a cell phone?

When I work rec league games as BU I will sometimes carry it. Depending on the town I'm in, I may prefer my partner to have one if I'm BU. Having the ability to call 911 quickly for unruly parents or coaches is not a bad idea.

That said, it won't be hooked onto my belt or anything. I keep it in my pocket when I do have it.

[jjb]

Here in TX, we need to have water bottles on field: we drink about a gallon per DH. I had my wife sew a pocket into my bottle cover. I can keep a notebook, pen and my cell in it. I then hang on the fence with a carabiner, (which also has my truck keys on it, so I can never leave it on the fence and go home).

As far as injuries, when in doubt, immobilize, leave 'em there, and wait for the ambulance to show up. And ignore the morons who are more concerned with playing the game than taking care of a kid.

[HokieUmp]

On the other hand you are in an authoritative position. If you do nothing you could also get sued

If they've broken their rulebook, I can help them. Otherwise, they've basically gone beyond my area of medical expertise. And I'm doing no more than following the Hippocratic Oath - "first, do no harm."

I'm sure I'm not going to live my life in fear of being sued, but to me, it's easier to get sued doing something and 'effing it up worse than it is to get sued for doing nothing.

[kcfan102]

On the other hand you are in an authoritative position. If you do nothing you could also get sued

I am trained in the business of baseball.

If I was properly trained in the emergency medical field than I would help. I'll let the parents sue somebody else.

[yawetag]

If I was properly trained in the emergency medical field than I would help. I'll let the parents sue somebody else.

I was an EMT. My license expired a few years ago, so it doesn't matter much now. However, as an EMT, my only legal obligation when off-duty was to call 911 (or ensure 911 was called) in an emergency. Anything else opened me up to liability.

As a layman, you have no legal authority in an emergency. Calling 911 is a good idea, but isn't legally required.

[kcfan102]

I've heard some pretty funky stuff happening to some EMTs when they were off duty as far as liability issues.

[yawetag]

I've heard some pretty funky stuff happening to some EMTs when they were off duty as far as liability issues.

Did it involve them not doing something or doing something?

As it is, the Good Samaritan law doesn't cover medical professionals in an off-duty situation, so many of liability issues occur during this time.

[kcfan102]

Did it involve them not doing something or doing something?

Yes.

My first semester in college I sat next to this former EMT who was going back to school to get another degree. We were in my general psych class and we were talkign about the good samaritan trait in people. She said that, the more people you have in a situation where someone needs help, the less likely they are to get it. So my former EMT friend guy went into a story how he had a buddy who helped out and got sued over something. And he told me a story where he had an EMT decal on the window of his car when something bad happened and he got sued for not helping.

Now, I've never really believed him. He was the biggest BSer I had ever talked to. He would have made a good umpire.

[Mr Umpire]

When there is an injury, I am not touching them. I let anyone else handle it. I leave it alone and stand off to the side. It seems impersonal but at least, I won't spend the rest of my life wondering why I did something so stupid. Not for being sued, but possibly doing something that ends a kid's baseball career (And, I don't mean a professional one).

[kylejt]

I guess I'm lucky. I've been Red Crossed trained, and had training through my job, so I can make first responder decisions. No way am I standing around when someone needs help.

As for cell phones, that's fine, unless you can get someone on a land line. With a land line you're connected to a local agency, and your location pops up right away. Cell phones go to a regional center, and it may take another connection or two to get the local folks rolling. Freaked out Mom on a cell might direct them anywhere. We have a land line at our park, and we've tested it through our local Fire Department, as to what appears on their screen when we call 911.

In situations like this, there are plenty of tasks that need to be done. Getting an ambulance rolling is one. Seeking a professional in the crowd is next. Making sure the ambulance can get directly to the facility is key. Do you need some gates unlocked? Can they find the right field? Send folks out to the main street, and points in between to direct them straight in. Crowd control, to get everyone back. Someone needs to contact the parents, if they're not there.

So stand back and do nothing, if that's what you're best at. It's usually an emotional scene, and I understand that some are just not up to it. Me, I'm taking charge, getting the best people available tasked with what they can do best, and doing whatever I can do. Lawsuits are the least of my worries, in cases like this. I'm worried about the kid.

Edited April 23, 2010 by kylejt

[BrianC14]

I guess I'm lucky. I've been Red Crossed trained, and had training through my job, so I can make first responder decisions. No way am I standing around when someone needs help.

As for cell phones, that's fine, unless you can get someone on a land line. With a land line you're connected to a local agency, and your location pops up right away. Cell phones go to a regional center, and it may take another connection or two to get the local folks rolling. Freaked out Mom on a cell might direct them anywhere. We have a land line at our park, and we've tested it through our local Fire Department, as to what appears on their screen when we call 911.

In situations like this, there are plenty of tasks that need to be done. Getting an ambulance rolling is one. Seeking a professional in the crowd is next. Making sure the ambulance can get directly to the facility is key. Do you need some gates unlocked? Can they find the right field? Send folks out to the main street, and points in between to direct them straight in. Crowd control, to get everyone back. Someone needs to contact the parents, if they're not there.

So stand back and do nothing, if that's what you're best at. It's usually an emotional scene, and I understand that some are just not up to it. Me, I'm taking charge, getting the best people available tasked with what they can do best, and doing whatever I can do. Lawsuits are the least of my worries, in cases like this. I'm worried about the kid.

Hey, we're ALL worried about the kid. That isn't the point.

You might want to read the article that Referee magazine published a couple months' back about this very subject. As I recall, the article was written by an attorney. You want to put yourself at risk - that's your business. Just remember that the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

[yawetag]

So my former EMT friend guy went into a story how he had a buddy who helped out and got sued over something.

If the buddy was an EMT as well (birds of a feather), then it's possible, especially if he did something wrong or went above the scope of his training.

And he told me a story where he had an EMT decal on the window of his car when something bad happened and he got sued for not helping.

This *could* happen. In fact, during my training, they mentioned that if you have insignia on your car, the least you should do is call 911 on your phone as you drive by. There's a small chance someone will notice and care -- very slim, though. My instructor had never heard of it happening, but agreed that it was possible.

[mstaylor]

I am certified for first responder including CPR and AED certs. I will keep a kid still and get thetrainers out. Usually that's all that is needed. As a county emplayee running parks for sporting events I am placed in that situation a lot. I am on first name basis with all our paid paramedics and some of the EMTs. I have helped board many kids and adults. I have used an AED on several occasions ncluding losing an umpire. Unless it is life threatening I will let the trainers and coaches handle it.