The spring season is complete and summer ball is in full swing. Slow Pitch leagues have been trying to play between rain outs and our schedulers have been working overtime to stay organized. Have you worked yet this year?

We welcomed many new faces among our ranks this year. It's great to see so many younger umpires. If you know of someone who is interested in giving it a try, send me their contact info and I will get the ball rolling, as it were.

Carlos Lindo has achieved this incredible milestone!

Carlos started officiating at the age of 25 while stationed in California for the Air Force. He spent the next 12 years at different installations officiating Men’s Fast Pitch. Settling in Oklahoma, he worked the next 27 years officiating Men’s, Women’s and JO Fast Pitch in addition to Slow Pitch in all categories. Since 2005, he has been in the St. Louis Metro organization where he has umpired everything available.

Over the last 50 years, Carlos has attended or instructed at close to 100 schools/clinics. He serves as an evaluator for both FP and SP in Metro St. Louis. In addition, he will also be seen working as the UIC for local tournaments.

His “Major” tournament list is a combination of all levels of softball. Women’s A FP, Men’s Major SP, JO 18 Gold and Men’s A SP are Championships where he earned overall excellent ratings. With 10 Regional and 19 National Championships it’s no wonder Carlos has earned awards and respect.

Carlos earned his National Indicator Fraternity status in 1993 and Elite was achieved in 2003. Twice he was selected to work the Men’s USA FP selection team try-outs at the OKC Hall of Fame Stadium. Of his 19 National Championships, he was chosen to work the championship game 9 times.

We are very fortunate to have Carlos as a leader in STLMSUA. His experience and calm demeanor make him an excellent clinician, evaluator and partner on the field. Fifty years of umpiring is quite an achievement, one many of us will never see. When you see Carlos this summer, take a moment to congratulate him on this milestone.

http://www.brainline.org/content/2012/06/what-you-need-to-know-symptoms-of-concussion.html

A concussion is a traumatic brain injury. Concussions are the result of a blow or jolt to the head that disrupts the normal function of the brain. Just like people, every concussion is unique. In fact, healthcare professionals in the field of brain injury often say, “If you’ve seen one concussion, you’ve seen one concussion.”Traumatic brain injury can have wide-ranging physical and psychological effects. Most signs or symptoms of a concussion are evident soon after the traumatic event, while you may only become aware of others days or weeks later.

The following are the most common signs and symptoms of a concussion:

General Symptoms of Concussion

• Headaches or neck pain that do not go away
• Difficulty remembering, concentrating, or making decisions
• Slowness in thinking, speaking, acting, or reading
• Getting lost or easily confused
• Feeling tired all of the time, having no energy or motivation
• Mood changes (feeling sad or angry for no reason)
• Changes in sleep patterns (sleeping a lot more or having a hard time sleeping)
• Light-headedness, dizziness, or loss of balance
• Urge to vomit (nausea)
• Increased sensitivity to lights, sounds, or distractions
• Blurred vision or eyes that tire easily
• Loss of sense of smell or taste
• Ringing in the ears

Most people make a good recovery from a concussion, but it’s important to take what may seem like just a bump on the head seriously. A common question is when should I go to the hospital for a concussion? If you or a loved one notices any of the above symptoms, you should seek medical attention right away. Even seemingly minor bumps can result in life threatening brain bleeding or other serious conditions that can only be identified and treated in a hospital.

Sometimes adults and children complain of “just not feeling like themselves.” Children often have a hard time explaining that they don't feel normal and it's up to the parents and their friends, family or coaches to know that they aren't acting like themselves and get them to rest or to seek medical attention.

Sources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• http://www.brainline.org/content/2008/07/signs-and-symptoms.html
• http://www.brainline.org/content/2010/05/heads-up-to-schools-know-your-abcs.html
• http://www.brainline.org/content/2009/06/facts-about-concussion-and-brain-injury.html

Model Systems of Knowledge Translation Center

• http://www.brainline.org/content/2010/03/cognitive-problems-after-traumatic-brain-injury.html
• http://www.brainline.org/content/2010/03/sleep-and-traumatic-brain-injury.html
• http://www.brainline.org/content/2010/03/emotional-problems-after-traumatic-brain-injury.html

The Mayo Clinic

• http://www.brainline.org/content/2008/10/understanding-brain-injury-guide-employers.html
• www.mayoclinic.com/health/traumatic-brain-injury/DS00552/DSECTION=symptoms

BrainLine

PLAY: R1on 2B with no outs, B2 hits a ground ball toward F6. F6 is moving to make a play on the ball as R1 jumps over the ground ball causing F6 to lose sight of the ball and not field it cleanly. The umpire does not signal interference because in their judgment R1 did not hinder, impede or confuse F6 from making a play. The umpire does not call interference. Is this a correct call?

Click on the link below to find the correct answer to this play and other Rules and Clarifications.

Heat Related Injuries:

When playing summer outdoor sports such as softball, precautions

should be taken to avoid heat injuries. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are two

summer afflictions to be aware of. Be aware that athletes are sensitive to the heat. Every

player will have a different tolerance level so one person may be fine and the others may

require attention even in the same conditions.

Signs and Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion:

• Moist and clammy skin

• Pale skin color

• Normal body temperature

• Profuse sweating

• Dizziness, nausea, weakness and fainting

Signs and Symptoms of Heat Stroke:

• Hot, dry skin and body temperature is very high (104-105F)

• Rapid pulse and breathing

• Behavior may be irrational

• Athlete may lose consciousness

• Eye pupils are constricted (very small)

• Weak, loose muscles

Obviously, in both cases, the person needs to be cooled. Do not leave them alone and DO call for help from the appropriate supervisor, whether that is a parent, the UIC or tournament staff.

Hydration and Nutrition:

Good hydration is one of the most important nutrition priorities for athletes. During exercise your body produces sweat to help cool it down. Athletes who train for long intervals or in hot conditions can lose large amounts of fluid through sweat, which can lead to dehydration.

Even small amounts of fluid loss can significantly impair performance. It is essential that you drink fluid before, during and after exercise to replace fluid lost from sweating. Keep in mind that thirst is not a good indication of fluid loss. By the time you feel thirsty your body is already dehydrated. Drinking plenty of water should be a daily goal, but especially leading up to a weekend tournament. It is there when we see the most heat related illnesses.

Along with drinking plenty of water, proper nutrition is imperative. Lay off the processed and/or fried foods. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and protein.