Some of you may have seen this story in the news a couple of weeks ago. It's taken me a while to wrap my head around this, and I wanted the story of this tragic accident to get out there so that everyone who has young athletes in their lives who they care about remind the kids to be careful out there.
Eric Lederman was a player on the Oswego Baseball and Softball Association (OBSA) 12U traveling team and a student at Thompson Middle School here in Oswego. On April 11, 2012 he was helping one of the pitchers on his team warm up before a game. He wasn't wearing the proper equipment when he was hit in the neck with the ball. I have heard, but cannot confirm, that the impact ruptured his carotid artery. Eric passed on April 12. He was well liked on both the team and at school; a popular, quick witted kid who was always positive. I didn't know Eric personally, but one of the neighbor boys was good friends with him and is taking this loss very hard.
Our family has been involved with OBSA for the past two years. I was an assistant coach for my son's team last fall, and this spring I am managing a team in the 9 year old division. I had a talk with the players about what happened, and how important it is for them to pay attention out there in order to be safe. I don't think they quite get the gravity of the situation. I cringe before every pitch is thrown; last year one of my son's friends took a line drive right to the chest after he threw a pitch. He was fine, but it could have turned out badly. Please tell your kids to ALWAYS know where the ball is at out on that field. I wouldn't wish this on any family, organization, or community.
Yes, very tragic.- I have two boys playing ball - a 12 year old and a nine year old.
Some of the kids can get big for their age. just last week, my 9 year old was pitching in a game - big kid a bat lined one right back to my son- luckily he got his glove in front of his face- ball glanced off his glove - I will pass your message on...
I saw this on the news a week or so ago... Indeed, very sad and heartbreaking. :u:
My family's prayers are going out to the family of this young man. Having traversed the travel ball circuit for the last four years with my thirteen year old daughter we are well aware of the dangers involved. Situations like this one are probably the reason Little League doesn't allow parents to warm up pitchers at all and when a fellow player warms them up, they must be in full catchers gear. Unfortunately, we haven't seen the same stringent rules enforced in travel ball. I will also pass this on in the hopes of preventing yet another family from having to endure this kind of heart ache.
Eric Lederman be sure to have kleenex handy...
Rob,
I saw that on facebook as well. A friend of mine from high school has a son that played on that team. Very sad indeed. There was quite a heart wrenching write up of the tribute that the teams paid when they went back to playing baseball.
http://oswego.patch.com/blog_posts/boys-of-summer-cope-with-tragedy-playing-the-game-they-love
Andy
Eric Lederman be sure to have kleenex handy...
Andy,
I read that on the Patch too. I delivered a survey to a lady just before that game; her grandson plays for and his dad coaches the Geneva team. She told that they were going to wear the orange socks, but I didn't know about the other stuff. Eric wore #2, which is why they did the 2nd batter/2nd inning tribute. My idea was to get some small #2 patches that our team can iron on to the side of our hats.
Eric Lederman be sure to have kleenex handy...
I don't know if they ever released the details of how he was hurt. My friend's initial post said he was hit in the back, but the news said it was a hit to the neck. I suppose both could be correct. Possibly not giving too much detail for the sake of whoever threw or hit the ball I suppose. That would be tough to deal with.
