Recreational sports are a great way to stay in shape and meet new people. In Toronto, where Neinstein Personal Injury Lawyers’ head offices are located, community sports leagues provide a physical outlet for athletes of all kinds, from basketball players to dodge-ball enthusiasts.
While participants in these leagues are engaging in a healthy pastime, they are also putting themselves at risk. Despite the best efforts and intentions of organizers and players, injuries are unavoidable in any sports environment. Recreational leagues generally produce less serious injuries than highly competitive settings, but the injuries can be severe nonetheless.
In August, 32-year-old British Columbia man Chris Godfrey was killed after being struck in the head by a softball during a Comox Valley Slopitch League (CVSP) game in Courtenay, BC. Reporting on the death, CBC News British Columbia also talked to Danielle Hitcher, who was struck and sustained serious injuries in a game last year.
“The ball fractured my skull and burst an artery,” Hitcher said. “Basically an artery pumps blood … It would just continually fill my head with blood and squish my brain down into my spinal cord. Eventually it cut off circulation to my organs.”
Accidents like these have caused league participants, public safety watchdogs and personal injury lawyers to question the safety practices employed by community sports leagues. Should helmets be mandatory? Or should players be allowed to forgo protection at their own risk?
Softball Canada lays out the rules for community leagues around the country, and today helmets remain optional for batters and base runners. The organization released a statement following Godfrey’s death.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Chris Godfrey and wish to extend our sincere condolences to his friends and family in these difficult times,” the statement read. CEO Hugh Mitchener pledged to continue to review safety standards to ensure the pastime remains safe and fun for participants.
Some of British Columbia’s recreational leagues aren’t waiting for the governing body’s direction: the CSVL made helmets mandatory on August 23, and some Vancouver Island teams are planning to follow suit. New Westminster’s Co-ed Adult Recreational SloPitch League announced following Godfrey’s death that it is “considering implementing measures regarding the use of helmets that may exceed the current Softball Canada rules.”
According to Slo-Pitch Ontario’s 2016-17 handbook, approved helmets may be worn by any player, but are not mandatory.
If you or a member of your family has been injured in a community sporting event or has suffered a serious injury in an accident, contact Neinstein Personal Injury Lawyers today to find out how we can help. Our experienced team has been representing injured Ontarians for decades.