Boy on my son's basketball team using a cast as a weapon in games. Nobody does anything. What can I do?

Question

On my son's basketball team, a boy named Bob Jr. injured his forearm in Sept 2005. He supposedly had his left forearm broken, requiring him to wear a cast for the rest of 2005 (still can shoot with both hands). It's now 2007 & still the same cast!

In my opinion, he uses the cast illegally to give opponents a good shove - most of the time behind the backs of the referees. It seems he enjoys using this cast as a weapon. I mean he really lays the cast into the opposing players. In fact, he has rendered four players unconscious.

I can't imagine any cast that would need to stay on that long. However, his parents always have some medical terms why he needs it. Parents of opposing teams get upset and stated their anger but only to be calmed down by Bob Jr's parents state "He is an aggressive player under the boards & it is not his fault he has to wear a cast".

Everyone is pacified by his parents approval of the cast.
I'm 99% sure there is no reason he needs it but what can I do?

Answer 1

I would talk to the coach about it. I think a medical statement from a locally known doctor is in order. If you are convinced that the need is legit, I don't think you are defeated. Maybe you should circulate a petition among parents: present it to the coach and if need be to the principal. The school superintendent may even need to be informed. The local newspaper is an option. People shouldn't be allowed to get away with this kind of stuff. You know if it is allowed in HS, the student will be an exploitative individual the rest of his life.

Answer 2

By rule, the cast has to be padded and taped before any player wearing one can play in any game. If this is a SANCTIONED league, his parents should have had to present medical documentation detailing their son's condition and a doctor's recommendation for him wearing the cast. And you must be using only two referees or else the third referee would see this "pushing and shoving".

Request of your league's governing body that an extra referee be used in all games from now on if there is only two being used. Have your son's coach repeatedly bring this to the official's attention. (Also have him ask the officials the reason the cast is not being padded and taped to prevent incidents of the type you are describing.) If it's not heavily padded and taped in the next game, "suggest" to Bob Sr. and your leagues's governing body that, if your son is injured because of the use of this cast, you might seek legal action against him and them.

Answer 3

I can see the child needing possible a splint, but a full on cast? something smells fishy.

I our athletic league a child must have a physicians note to play injure, and in the case of three seasons with this cast I would assume that it would have to be updated each year.

Additionally - if 4 children have been knocked unconscious by the cast I would flat out pull my child out that league until the child was removed or had a correct sports splint. That is dangerous - he is going to seriously hurt someone.

Answer 4

I would talk with the coach and get his take on the situation. Explain why you think the boy is using the cast as a weapon. If he does nothing, you'll either have to decide whether to do nothing, or if it bothers you that much, you can withdraw your son from the team (especially if he has been hurt by the other boy in the past).

Answer 5

get all the parents to sign a petition stating there will be no basketball team if the child with the cast continues to play , or tell your son to man up

Answer 6

I would find out if he ever takes it off, you can't wear a cast on your arm for two years, he must be taking it off. see if he wears it to school everyday, and talk to a higher up in the league and make him submit a doctors note on why he has to have this cast, it sounds like bull **** to me! or you could just break his other arm, you can't play with two broken arms!!