As more and more players are sitting out games with concussions each year in baseball, Major League Baseball and the Players Association decided to do something about it. This winter, they set up a committee of experts to come up with a new policy regarding consussions . A set of protocols was announced Tuesday regarding the new policy which will take effect on Thursday, Opening Day. The policy establishes a seven- day disabled list for concussions, as mentioned in a key list of factors created by Major League Baseball. These factors include:
- the player getting mandatory baseline neuropsychological testing for both players and umpires during spring training
- protocols for evaluating players and umpires for a possible concussion after being involved in high rish incidents such as being hit in the head with a ball
- establishment of seven day disabled list which aims to allow concussions to clear, and prevent players from returning prematurely
- protocols for clearing and allowing a concussed player or umpire to return to activity.
I think this new DL is a very good idea. I think its good to see baseball take some action with such an important problem that all sports are dealing with. Concussions are usually more associated with sports like football or hockey, but last season players such as Justin Morneau of the Minnesota Twins and Jason Bay of the New York Mets had to miss huge chunks of the season due to concussions. Its good to see something being done about it in order to get players checked out more in depthly and getting to be back in action quicker.
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