Community Corner
Let's All Play it Safe This Season
Baseball, basketball, soccer and lacrosse balls are in play this spring, so let's be courteous and attentive when the action's on.
As a player and coach in Swampscott for over 45 years, I know that sports are fun, but sometimes accidents do happen.
I’ve been hit in the head with baseballs, footballs, soccer balls and hockey pucks and none of those experiences are enjoyable. When the nurses at the emergency room know that your real first name is Bruce, not Scot, than you’re spending too much time in the ER.
When coaching, it’s great to win, but the most important factor in play is safety. Safety for everyone, and if we all take a moment to be aware of our surroundings, we can keep the accidents down to a minimum.
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On the playing fields Saturday morning at Phillips Park, there was baseball, soccer, basketball and lacrosse going on. All of the teams, their coaches and players focused on what they were doing, not keeping an eye out for people walking through the field of play.
A seven-year-old girl nearly got a fly ball in the head because her group walked through the baseball outfields Saturday morning while kids were taking batting practice.
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If a ball struck that little girl, I would have been devastated, but there is no reason to sacrifice safety for a quicker way to get where you want to go.
This is not an isolated incident. Last weekend a toddler got a line-drive off his leg, but the ball had slowed down on the grass before it hit him. Even though he wasn't injured, the boys' mom was quite upset.
Adults need to be aware that activities are underway, and the safest bet is to walk around the perimeter, away from the action, away from any threat of bodily injury.
If my son is playing soccer, I like to walk the shortest distance to his game, but I run the risk of getting a baseball or lacrosse ball in the nose, so I take the scenic route all the way around the field.
When the baseball or softball players foul one off towards the players on the basketball court, the other field, or near spectators, we as a group yell, “heads up!”
As a parent, coach, spectator, fan and participant, I ask that you please be aware of the games going on and make safety a priority. Please walk around, away from the action, not through it.
The only call I make this season should be to Cindy’s for some pizzas after practice and not to 911 to take a child or an adult to the hospital.
