Unsafe Sports Facility Causes Life-Altering Injuries

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.

Question(s) For Expert Witness

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

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

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

Expert Witness Response E-028929

I am a former attorney in private practice and Assistant District Attorney. I owned and operated two Minor League Baseball teams, and built and renovated baseball facilities. I am also a Professor who teaches Sport Law and Risk Management, and I have published and presented on facility and player safety issues. 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. I would be interested in reviewing this case.