5/14

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Maplewood / Bristol game tied in the 8th, 2-2. Bristol pitcher had a breathing issue early in the game and then had another incident after tying up the game (btm of 6th) where she collapsed in the dugout and "blacked" out according to Bristol coach. Ambulance called. Pitcher tried to re-enter game, ump wouldn't allow it. Bristol pitcher taken away by ambulance. Bristol had already subbed only available girl and is forced to finish game with 8 and without starting pitcher. Game called due to weather in the top of 8th (Maplewood at bat) with 1 out and bases loaded. Let's see if they are able to continue this game tomorrow. So far its been a great game.

I'm pretty sure the game has to be continued under the same conditions in which it ended, meaning Bristol pitcher will not be allowed to finish game and Bristol will have to finish with 8. Is this correct?

 

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If injured player is back she should be able to return I think

 

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By substitution rule, I could see starting pitcher being able to return...but...

Could be alot of gray area, if player "blacked" out, lot more things to worry about then her return--
Not knowing complete details of situation, umpire very well could have used protocol for concussions?

If the concussion rule was used, I wouldn't count on her playing.

Regardless, #1 is hope the young lady is OK.

 

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By substitution rule, I could see starting pitcher being able to return...but...

Could be alot of gray area, if player "blacked" out, lot more things to worry about then her return--
Not knowing complete details of situation, umpire very well could have used protocol for concussions?

If the concussion rule was used, I wouldn't count on her playing.

Regardless, #1 is hope the young lady is OK.

I would agree with you, hope she is well also however, had weather not happened the game would have finished. I would think she would not be allowed to return for this game even if she is cleared. I don't have a dog in this fight. I was at the game and thought this was an interesting turn of events and wondered what the rule was.

 

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There is no rule that would keep her from returning unless she has used her re-entry up.

 

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Talk about turning of the tide for the Bristol team if she can re-enter.

 

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Canfield-2
Champion-0
Top 3 Rain Hit!

 

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I would agree with you, hope she is well also however, had weather not happened the game would have finished. I would think she would not be allowed to return for this game even if she is cleared. I don't have a dog in this fight. I was at the game and thought this was an interesting turn of events and wondered what the rule was.

But the weather DID "happen" and the game DIDN'T finish. The game was suspended to be completed at a later date. Suspension of a game does not change substitution rules or re-entry rights.

 

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The only question here in my mind is if you're allowed to go back to 9 players after you dropped to 8 (and I would think you would) ... if they had someone to replace her in the lineup and not dropped down to 8, she defnitely would be able to return.

Her removal in the previous day was for safety purposes based on a medical condition at the time. If the medical condition goes away after some passage of time, then it only seems logical to me that she should be able to return. If the umpire didn't allow it, I'd want proof from the rulebook, or I'd be protesting the game (yeah, I know there is no protest in Ohio high school games).

 

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But the weather DID "happen" and the game DIDN'T finish. The game was suspended to be completed at a later date. Suspension of a game does not change substitution rules or re-entry rights.

She was removed from the game by the umpire, not permitted to continue play leading to an unique circumstance. There was no substitution, which led to me asking for a rules interpretation on here. I'll be interested in seeing how it plays out.

 

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If it was not a concussion related removal and she has a re entry left she would be allowed to re enter.

 

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Think Blesh has it correct. If so, that could change the whole complexion of the game, since my understanding is that their pitcher was a huge part of Bristol's success this year.

 

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She was not removed due to concussion. She was unable to breathe and blacked out. She had had medical treatment the day previous and there is speculation that the medication is what caused the episode. Earlier in the game, she had a minor episode. The one that she blacked out came after she scored from 2nd. When she tried to come back on the field, the umpire said he absolutely would not allow her to continue to play. Bristol had already burned their bench and were, therefore, forced to continue with 8. She was not subbed for.

 

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Think Blesh has it correct. If so, that could change the whole complexion of the game, since my understanding is that their pitcher was a huge part of Bristol's success this year.

From what I have seen they are good all around team, however pitcher is crucial to their success, nothing really behind her. Disclaimer: that's only my opinion and what I have seen from the limited viewing I have had of this team.

 

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The pitcher and her family spent a long evening in the ER (3am). After some tests she was cleared and sent home and feeling better early this morning.

Knowing this young lady as I do, she will most definitely be on the field when this game resumes play.

 

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What an unusual situation. This one sent me searching through the rule book, the case book and through the OHSAA softball regulations on their website. There are several points not covered by rules involved here:

- While the rules do say that a team can continue a game with eight players, there's nothing that covers whether or not a player who leaves the game, causing the team to be short-handed, may return. Generally, if the rules don't say that something is illegal, then it is legal.

ASA rules do say that the player may NOT return. But NFHS/high school rules do not address this point.

- Umpires must remove a player from the game if she exhibits any signs of a concussion. While one of the signs of a concussion is unconsciousness, absent some sort of collision/head injury being involved, I'm not sure why you would apply the concussion rule here.

When evaluating a possible concussion, we're told to err on the side of safety. In other words, don't be too quick to rule out a concussion if there's any possibility there is one. So it's totally a judgment call by the umpire. His judgment is what it is- right or wrong- and you're pretty much stuck with it.

If the umpire truly didn't think there was a concussion here, then I think that he should defer to the coach or team medical staff as to whether the player should be removed.

- Even if this was a suspected concussion, OHSAA regulations would allow the player to return if the game is continued on another day. That assumes that the player receives the required medical clearance that applies to any other concussion removal.

But now we're back to square one. I can't find anything in the high school rules that covers a player returning in a short-handed situation. Answer that one and everything else falls into place.

If I'm the umpire and I'm forced to rule on the spot, I'd allow it, simply because the rules don't say you can't come back in. Maybe this team will take advantage of the gap between the game resuming to contact OHSAA for clarification. Really, in these kind of situations the ruling could go either way.

 

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I agree that by the rule book, she can return. But.........

If I am the umpire, I would be asking for a Doctor's release when the game resumed the next day. The sole reason that I would ask for one is liability.

I would base my decision on the Concussion Law. The law put checks into the law that requires a concussion-ed athlete (which can be construed as "injured") to get a doctor's release before returning to play. I would have no idea of what caused the medical event so I am covering my butt. I believe that a jury would agree with that line of thinking in the event of a civil trial.

Maybe JoeA would have some insight on this.

 

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So...did they let that kid play?

 

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Game is to be resumed on Monday.

 

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I agree that by the rule book, she can return. But.........

If I am the umpire, I would be asking for a Doctor's release when the game resumed the next day. The sole reason that I would ask for one is liability.

I would base my decision on the Concussion Law. The law put checks into the law that requires a concussion-ed athlete (which can be construed as "injured") to get a doctor's release before returning to play. I would have no idea of what caused the medical event so I am covering my butt. I believe that a jury would agree with that line of thinking in the event of a civil trial.

Maybe JoeA would have some insight on this.

The game is governed by an NFHS RULE book, not an NFHS PERSONAL OPINION book. All concussions are injuries but not all injuries or medical conditions are concussions. Trying to misapply concussion rules as proposed would make an umpire look foolish, and rightly so.