When I heard the news the other day regarding the on-field death of Cricket umpire Alcwyn Jenkins, I couldn't help but be reminded of the tragedy that befell minor league coach Mike Coolbaugh last year. Though there were differences in their roles on the field, and the way in which the incidents occurred, the common similarity is that neither one was actively participating in the play that struck them down.
No matter the sport (with the possible exception of basketball), players are equipped with gloves to help them deflect the ball, or padding/helmets to ease the force of a hit inflicted by another player. No such item exists for base coaches, or referees of contact sports like football. Even fans have a degree of separation from the field that gives them that extra second to react to a line-drive --- a luxury that does not exist for the coaches that stand beside first and third base.
I'm not sure what the answer to this is ... or even if there is one. These games have been played for many years, with only a handful of incidents. I'm just wondering if we're nearing the point where some sort of measure will need to be put in place to protect the people who manage and oversee the games. After all, it took a horrible event in Columbus, OH to initiate the raising of nets around hockey arenas for fan protection. As our athletes continue to get bigger, stronger, and faster, it seems that we may already have the need to step-up the protection of the non-playing participants on the field.
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That there isn't more protection for these positions just seem pigheaded to me. Tradition may say that third base coaches don't wear hard helmets, but they're easy to wear and don't impinge the coach's ability to do his job.
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