"PLAY BALL!" -- LITTLE LEAGUE AND LAWSUITS

The claim that Little League baseball is unduly burdened by civil tort lawsuits is unfounded. A search of the Lexis/Nexis database reveals only two cases in which people who filed tort suits against Little League were compensated for injuries. Both cases, which alleged that Little League's negligence caused the injuries, were settled out of court.

In one case, a Little Leaguer missed a throw and the ball hit her mother in the face. The girl's mother brought a claim, which was settled for $10,000. (The date of this incident was not ascertainable.) In the other case, a New Jersey boy was injured in 1982 when he was struck in the face with a ball. That case settled for $25,000.

In a third tort suit, the parents of a child who broke his leg while sliding brought a claim against the coach -- not Little League. A news story in Newsday does not state the outcome of that case or whether there was a settlement or compensation awarded.

The search also revealed two other lawsuits against Little League -- neither of which was a tort claim.

In July 1992, a wheelchair-bound judge who coached a Little League team filed suit against the organization after he was barred from the field. He based his claim on the American With Disabilities Act. Little League claimed that the wheelchair constituted a hazard to players. The outcome of this case was not available.

In a suit filed in March 1974, a girl and her parents charged that Little League's policy of excluding girls was unconstitutional. They asked for fees, costs and punitive damages. In June 1974, Little League publicly stated that it would immediately permit girls to register for its programs. The punitive claim was denied. Rappaport v. Little League Baseball, Inc.

Punitive Damages

The search of this comprehensive database uncovered only one punitive damage award ever against Little League, Boy Scouts of America or Girl Scouts of America. This lone punitive award -- stemming from a sexual molestation claim -- was reduced by the trial court before being vacated by an appellate court.

In Wilson v. Tobiassen, an Oregon trial court found Boy Scouts of America liable for negligent supervision after a troop leader molested a Scout. The troop leader reportedly had a history of abusing children. The trial court awarded punitive damages, which were vacated by the Oregon Court of Appeals. Wilson v. Tobiassen, 777 P.2d 1379 (Ore. Ct. App. 1988).