Beginning in 2013 the Longmont Baseball League has implemented a new concussion policy that all Head Coaches, Assistant Coaches and Parents must be made aware of.  Every individual in athletics must become more proactive in identifying and treating athletics who show signs of concussions. In order to address the critical issue the NFHS (National Federation of High Schools) has drafted the following language and made it a part of every sport rule book publication:

Any player who exhibits signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion (such as loss of consciousness, headache, dizziness, confusion or balance problems) shall be immediately removed from the game and shall not return to play until cleared by an appropriate health-care professional.

Education is the key to identifying and treating athletics that show signs of a concussion during practices or games.  It is very important that every coach, parent, official, athlete and health-care provider know the symptoms and steps to take when dealing with athletics who display signs of a possible concussion. Concussions can be a serious health issue and should be treated as such.

All Longmont Baseball League Head coaches are required to complete a Concussion in sport course. Coaches are required to complete a yearly course. Courses can be found at http://www.cdc.gov or http://www.nfhslearn.com/ .We encourage all parents and players to also complete one of these free on-line courses.

The Longmont Baseball League has approved the Concussion Return to Play Form. The form was adapted from the Acute Concussion Evaluation (ACE) plan on the CDC website www.cdc.gov/injury The form contains specific instructions that shall be followed before an athlete can return to practices or games.

Additional information can be found on the Longmont Baseball League Website or if you have any questions regarding the Longmont Baseball League policy on concussions please feel free to contact the Longmont Baseball office.

Suggested Guidelines for Management of a Concussion

A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that interferes with normal brain function. An athlete does not have to lose consciousness (be "knocked out") to have suffered a concussion.

Common Symptoms of Concussion Include:

• Headache
• Fogginess
• Difficulty concentrating
• Easily confused
• Slowed thought processes
• Difficulty with memory
• Nausea
• Lack of energy, tiredness
• Dizziness, poor balance
• Blurred vision
• Sensitive to light and sounds
• Mood changes - irritable, anxious, or tearful
   

Suggested Concussion Management: