ASA being sued

[Sam]

Its not rubbish, Mike. I posted a similar argument on UCS. A well-know NoCal Gold coach stated as such.

The parents are trusting the coaches and the organization. The organization teaches the coaches about overuse and the coaches ignore it. How are the parents going to be held responsible? Are the kids going to sue them?

ASA further contributes to the problem by putting forth schedules at Nationals which cause losers bracket teams to play 4-5 games on a Saturday. I guess we should hold the teams responsible for losing to get into the LB.

This isn't a matter of responsibility, its a matter of preventable injuries and none of the organizations is doing anything to protect the pitchers, with the exception of LL.

If ASA and Premier would do it, the others would follow like sheep.

[ontheblack]

MTR, it cant be all on the parents when you have coaches who a) dont have a clue about proper conditioning, mechanics, or even how to stretch correctly, and b) coaches like AM suggesting that since she didnt suffer any arm injury, dialing it back isnt necessary.

Doug Finch is a big fan of the doctor who did that 1998 study, but he disagrees with the study because Jenny never had any arm injuries.

ASA doesnt want to deal with this issue. This lawsuit may at least cause more information to be put forward. That is unless the plaintiffs are just looking for a settlement and not interested in pushing ASA to do something substantive.

[MTR]

MTR, it cant be all on the parents when you have coaches who a) dont have a clue about proper conditioning, mechanics, or even how to stretch correctly, and b) coaches like AM suggesting that since she didnt suffer any arm injury, dialing it back isnt necessary.

Doug Finch is a big fan of the doctor who did that 1998 study, but he disagrees with the study because Jenny never had any arm injuries.

ASA doesnt want to deal with this issue. This lawsuit may at least cause more information to be put forward. That is unless the plaintiffs are just looking for a settlement and not interested in pushing ASA to do something substantive.

Bull! ANYTHING INVOLVING A CHILD IS ALL ON THE PARENTS! Suggesting otherwise demonstrates a lack of dilegence on behalf of those who brought the child into this world. IT IS THE PARENT'S JOB to vet the coaches or anyone else to whom they entrust the welfare of their child. It is not ASA, USSSA, NFHS, NCAA, ISA, AFA,NSA, etc. position to do YOUR job.

[MTR]

Its not rubbish, Mike. I posted a similar argument on UCS. A well-know NoCal Gold coach stated as such.

Of course, he would agree, he is one of the guilty parties.

The parents are trusting the coaches and the organization. The organization teaches the coaches about overuse and the coaches ignore it. How are the parents going to be held responsible? Are the kids going to sue them?

It is not unheard of and there are many child advocates who could deal with this.

ASA further contributes to the problem by putting forth schedules at Nationals which cause losers bracket teams to play 4-5 games on a Saturday. I guess we should hold the teams responsible for losing to get into the LB.

No, you hold the teams responsible for not having enough pitchers on the roster. But then you are back to mommy and daddy whining about enough playing time. Maybe that is your answer. ASA should have a rule which requires each teams to carry a minimum of four active pitchers. Wouldn't that just kill all the carrot chasers? Not to mention the NCAA gods (coaches) that may actually have to do a little work in finding which pitcher fits their program better.

This isn't a matter of responsibility, its a matter of preventable injuries and none of the organizations is doing anything to protect the pitchers, with the exception of LL.

If ASA and Premier would do it, the others would follow like sheep.

Again, it is ineffective and unenforceable. Of course, it IS a matter of responsibility for the ONLY common denominator with the player, the parent. ANY other remedy is a joke and a waste of time and money.

[Goldcoloredglasses]

You can expand this to catchers and excessive knee stress. Oldest daughter was D1 catcher. She had surgery the sumer before her Sophmore year on left knee...still had major pain so decided not to have surgery on her right knee...she let them stick the needle in her knees before games as she needed it. Athletes want to compete...it's who they are

[SoftballSoccerDad]

Bull! ANYTHING INVOLVING A CHILD IS ALL ON THE PARENTS! Suggesting otherwise demonstrates a lack of diligence on behalf of those who brought the child into this world. IT IS THE PARENT'S JOB to vet the coaches or anyone else to whom they entrust the welfare of their child. It is not ASA, USSSA, NFHS, NCAA, ISA, AFA,NSA, etc. position to do YOUR job.

The welfare of a child is ultimately up to the parents, but do we really want every single pitcher parent tracking pitch counts and then possibly interrupting games to inform coaches that DD is 10% over her limit?

A policy stating concrete pitching limits would be unenforceable, but if this lawsuit is solely for the purpose of bringing attention to the problem, then it's serving a valuable purpose.

Elite athletes are elite because they're able to do things the rest of us cannot do. Can a girl be an elite athlete at the age of 14? Of course she can. But athletes, parents, and coaches will never know what an athlete's potential is unless they're allowed to go beyond what might seem to be normal limits.

I know I will have to trust my DD's coaches on many levels, just as I trust her school teachers, church instructors, etc. but I'll also be letting them know MY limitations and then the can decide whether they want her to play for them. Since she's a pitcher, 'Daddy's policy' could very well cost her some softball opportunities in the future. But, if the end result is that she gets to enjoy the game for a lifetime without permanent damage from overuse, then I would feel I've done my job, which is to protect her.

[Sam]

Pitch counts may, indeed, be unenforceable. Inning limits may be the answer. One pitch during an inning = an inning. No more than 7 innings on a single day. 5 innings on one day = mandatory one day rest.

Coaches violating the rule are banned from coaching in the national organization for life.

[MTR]

The welfare of a child is ultimately up to the parents, but do we really want every single pitcher parent tracking pitch counts and then possibly interrupting games to inform coaches that DD is 10% over her limit?

Don't be absurd. The parent determines where and for whom the child plays the game. There is where the control comes into play.

A policy stating concrete pitching limits would be unenforceable, but if this lawsuit is solely for the purpose of bringing attention to the problem, then it's serving a valuable purpose.

Socialist reasoning. IMO, somewhat on the cowardly side. Part of the problem with this country is that everything can be resolved with a lawsuit, as if that is constitutional guarantee of relief anytime someone doesn't like something. If you want it changed, pay for it.

I know I will have to trust my DD's coaches on many levels, just as I trust her school teachers, church instructors, etc. but I'll also be letting them know MY limitations and then the can decide whether they want her to play for them. Since she's a pitcher, 'Daddy's policy' could very well cost her some softball opportunities in the future. But, if the end result is that she gets to enjoy the game for a lifetime without permanent damage from overuse, then I would feel I've done my job, which is to protect her.

And that is fine, YOU are taking responsibility. If the coach, in your opinion, overworks your DD, are you going to voice your concerns to the coach or sue someone? If the coach ignores you completely, you going to keep her on that team or look for a more nurturing situation for her? Or are you going to sue someone? Do you voice your opinions when you think there is a problem with the content or effort of the teacher, or do you just sue someone?

And as posted 8 months ago, I was told the NCAA was already looking into the effects of excessive use. However, as usual, people think that they have stumbled on to something new when in fact, it is already being addressed. But, of course, it is much easier to just file a suit against a non-participant than actually doing a little research, isn't it.

[MTR]

Pitch counts may, indeed, be unenforceable. Inning limits may be the answer. One pitch during an inning = an inning. No more than 7 innings on a single day. 5 innings on one day = mandatory one day rest.

Coaches violating the rule are banned from coaching in the national organization for life.

And which coach would that be? The league team coach? The fall league team coach? In indoor league team coach? The travel ball coach? The private pitching coach? Of how about that kid who recruited the player for a fun pick-up game?

IOW, all you have done was place an expensive beauracratic procedure that accomplishes absolutely nothing, but making people feel better that their child is protected when in reality, they are no better off than they were before unless that parent takes the appropriate responsibility which would have averted the entire conversation, wasted keystrokes and bandwidth.

[anonlooker]

Pitch counts may, indeed, be unenforceable. Inning limits may be the answer. One pitch during an inning = an inning. No more than 7 innings on a single day. 5 innings on one day = mandatory one day rest.

Coaches violating the rule are banned from coaching in the national organization for life.

Kids practice way more than they actually pitch.

Address that.