Concussions

[Samantha2221]

How common are concussions in softball? My daughter got 3 and decided the risk of playing was too great. Anyone else ever have issues?

 

[brownsfan]

It happens more than you realize, but the issue is most parents, coaches, and/or umps don't recognize the signs especially the ones that develop symptoms later. Before anyone goes blasting me, I'm not talking the upfront signs either where it's clear-cut, but the signs that show up the next day if no symptoms appear.

My oldest daughter has suffered two of them. The first time, the signs did not appear right away. In fact it was the next day she felt off. Most of us dismiss that not putting one and one together and could confuse it with vertigo or being slightly dehydrated. Anyway, I took my dd to her doctor and he put her on bed rest immediately. He used the concussion test from our HS to make the determination. She was out three weeks.

The second time literally just happened. She recognized it and got herself checked out. She was cleared in two days.

My point is, we need to educate ourselves (meaning parents, coaches, and umps) need to look after the ones that develop some symptoms later. My dd didn't show the "gaze" or anything that the second day. Those are tougher to ones to diagnose, especially if it's an older girl trying to be showcased and not talking.

 

[CARDS]

https://www.akronchildrens.org/cms/sharing_blog/10b3f0ef798d8e6b/index.html

Some players are more prone to head injuries than others and girls are more likely than boys to suffer head trauma.

2000 to present I had 5 ladies that suffered head trauma or concussions. It possible there may have been others since we did practice and play fast and hard.

One was from a collision with the ground the rest was from collision with other players. Girls seem to be more susceptible to head injuries than males. Soccer, LX both see higher levels of head injuries thus why various bodies are considering head gear for those sports

In the article above Softball also sees more head injuries for females over males playing baseball. There is an art to diving, falling, sliding and overall basic body control that you see lacking with a lot of female athletes.
A good example is when ladies are running after a fly ball or pop up their ability to control stop or pivot to continue play is less than their male counterparts.
At the high school level you see a lot of impact with fencing, walls, or other players because of the smaller fields. Over the years I remember seeing a lot of ladies chasing foul balls or balls in the gap with temporary fencing unable to control their body and literally fall into or over the fencing when there was 10 15 feet of stopping distance. I remember a HR called at Berliner where a lady on an opposing team caught the ball traveling backwards took a couple more steps back and over the fence she went.

 

[Louuuuu]

... the issue is most parents, coaches, and/or umps don't recognize the signs especially the ones that develop symptoms later. Before anyone goes blasting me, I'm not talking the upfront signs either where it's clear-cut, but the signs that show up the next day if no symptoms appear.

How is the ump going to recognize the "symptoms that develop later"?

As a softball ump and a volleyball official, I have to be certified every three years in Concussion Training by OHSAA. We know what to look for as events happen, but if signs don't develop until after the game, there's nothing we can do.

 

[brownsfan]

How is the ump going to recognize the "symptoms that develop later"?

As a softball ump and a volleyball official, I have to be certified every three years in Concussion Training by OHSAA. We know what to look for as events happen, but if signs don't develop until after the game, there's nothing we can do.

I'm not talking after that day's events but the following day. I think it's the responsibility of the coach or ump to jot down any collisions or anything head related to the UIC and TD. Something like the girls name and number so the next day the ump has that information. Once the tourney is over, it's on the parents and coaches. I know it would be a pain. However, if everyone says it's true that it's all about the girls and not winning, no one will have an issue.

As much as I cannot believe that came out of my head (because I hate more gov't involvement), but with the way recruiting is going these days, it may be an necessity. Once you receive a concussion, evidence has shown the next one is even easier to get, even after being fully cleared. I just chatted with my oldest, and she says she has a headache that could be concussion (she got a small one Tuesday) related, but was cleared by the doctor. But if the umps had that information, and the girl plays with coaches knowledge but then shows symptoms; ump has a right then to halt the game and do whatever they need to do. If girl is found concussed, then sub her with no penalty with a girl from the bench. Yes it would stink and create a headache for the ump because coach and parents will go off, but if it's not about winning but the girls; they shouldn't get ticked.

The information we have and can share especially during tournaments, the better it will be for the girls in the long run.

 

[Louuuuu]

Good point.

Also, I'd like to point out that some of the parents pop their cork when an official says "You gotta sit the rest of the day - you have concussion symptoms". "Whadda ya mean? She's fine!" "We can't sit her!" etc.. I've seen it happen. If we're truly "in this for the kids", these type of statements should never be spoken.

When in doubt, sit them out. There's another game/tournament next week.

 

[Lasersteal06]

I know as a parent, until our kid got the first one, we had no idea what the other symptoms were. It wasn't until the next day that the light sensitivy and nausea showed up. Even when we thought we were past it and went back to practice, the inability to track a ball or maintain balance came back. I say educate the parents of every athlete, not just on initial symptoms, but the later symptoms as well. Too many parents out there don't understand the risk of playing before fully healing. Why couldn't the sanctioning bodies make parent concussion training mandatory like they do for umps and coaches?

 

[raidian70]

I think it is also important to keep in mind that concussions don't always come from a blow to the head. The whipping action of the head can also cause them. As a result, it is very important that athletes train their core and neck muscles to keep these types of concussions from occurring. I once heard a Michigan strength and conditioning coach at a clinic, years back state that some concussions are preventable with proper workout regimens that address core and neck. He did say some and not all concussions are preventable.

 

[Coach Tony]

How common are concussions in softball? My daughter got 3 and decided the risk of playing was too great. Anyone else ever have issues?

Statistics from the CDC (U.S. government):
The below numbers indicate the amount of sports concussions taking place per 100,000 athletic exposures. An athletic exposure is defined as one athlete participating in one organized high school athletic practice or competition, regardless of the amount of time played.

• Football: 64 -76.8
• Boys' ice hockey: 54
• Girl's soccer: 33
• Boys' lacrosse: 40 - 46.6
• Girls' lacrosse: 31 - 35
• Girls' field hockey: 22 - 24.9
• Boys' soccer: 19 - 19.2
• Boys' wrestling: 22 - 23.9
• Girls' basketball: 18.6 - 21
• Boys' basketball: 16 - 21.2
• Girls' softball: 16 - 16.3
• Cheerleading: 11.5 to 14
• Girls' volleyball: 6 - 8.6
• Girls' gymnastics: 7
• Boys' baseball: Between 4.6 - 5

 

[ssandy]

My dd had her first this past fall (from volleyball) hit her head hard on the floor diving for a ball but got right up and continued to play. she noticed her symptoms the next day and off to children's we went. she was out 37 days. she had to be symptom free a week before the Dr would release her. My husband had his 9th in 2010(we are able to recall not counting any from hs football or baseball) he now has permeate issues. we have been to the top concussion drs and his symptoms will never go away. this is due to lack of treatment and being pushed back to soon. a concussion is nothing to mess with and parents need to realize this! my daughter had to miss softball camp for her#1 college pick in the fall. she was devastated but she e mailed the coach and the coach totally got it and even sent her a get well card telling her they would see her this summer and at this yrs camp. Don't risk your kids health thinking its going to hurt their future. If they don't recover from lack of treatment or being pushed back too soon they may not make it to college!