Unsafe Sports Facility Causes Life-Altering Injuries

Case Overview

This facilities management case involves a teenaged boy who was severely injured when a baseball struck him in the temple during a high school baseball game in Texas. The Plaintiff was seated on the end of a bench in the dugout, which lacked fencing over the majority of the bench, leaving both ends exposed. At the time of the incident in question, the opposing team was up at bat when the batter hit a sharp line drive that struck the Plaintiff in the forehead. The Plaintiff suffered a fractured skull, epidural bleeding in his brain, and subdural bleeding. Following the incident, the fence was extended to cover the full length of the dugout. As a result of his injuries, the Plaintiff suffered permanent brain damage and a resultant decline in his cognitive abilities.

Questions to the Occupational Health and Safety expert and their responses

Are you familiar with the rules and industry standards in place for fencing and other protective measures for little league baseball games?

Clearly, additional industry standards/requirements should have been observed in this case. Little League International (LLI) has facility standards that require dugouts and player seating areas to be completely protected from the field of play by a screen or fence. Had this rule been observed, the player apparently would not have sustained an injury in this case.

Have you served in a safety oversight position for any venue, organization, or association involved in little league baseball?

I owned and operated two Minor League Baseball teams, and built and renovated baseball facilities.

Please explain why you are qualified to serve as an expert on this case.

I am a former attorney in private practice and Assistant District Attorney. I am also a Professor who teaches Sport Law and Risk Management, and I have published and presented on facility and player safety issues.

About the expert

This highly qualified expert has years of experience in sports facility safety and management. He received his BS degree in accounting and management from Georgetown University and his JD degree from Cornell University. He is a member of multiple renowned professional associations, including the North American Society for Sport Management and the Sport and Recreation Law Association. He has published 15+ peer-reviewed journal articles focusing on sports management and safety and lectures both nationally and internationally. He is a former associate professor of sports management and sports law at Eastern New Mexico University and the former owner and president of both Daytona Cubs Baseball Club and Maine Guides Baseball Club. He is also a former partner at Paine, Cohen, Lynch, Weatherbee & Kobritz law firm. Currently, he is a senior advisor for a major baseball training initiative and a consultant for several minor league baseball teams and leagues. Additionally, he is the chair of sports management at a major university in New York.