May 19, 2008 7:49 pm US/Eastern
Lawsuit Filed In Metal Bat Brain Damage Case
Experts Disagree Over Whether Aluminum Bats Cause Ball To Move Faster; Little League Baseball, Manfacturer Named
WAYNE, N.J. (CBS) ―
-
-
Steven Domalewski suffered brain damage when he was struck by a baseball hit off of an aluminum bat.
CBS
The parents of a boy who suffered permanent brain damage when he was struck in the chest by a baseball during a Little League game filed a lawsuit Monday against the manufacturers of the metal baseball bat that dealt the tragic blow.
Stephen Domalewski, 14, was wheeled into the West Paterson Municipal Building by his parents to announce the lawsuit, though his parents had to do the talking for him.
"I just wish I could turn back the hands of time on this one," said Joseph Domalewski, the boy's father.
Nearly two years ago, the then 12-year-old pitcher nearly died on the diamond when a baseball struck him in the chest and stopped his heart for 20 minutes. The lack of air caused severe brain damage and left the disabled teen dependent on his parents for everything.
"I miss Steven. I miss the boy that he was," said his mother, Nancy.
The line drive that struck Steven was hit with an aluminum bat, which makes it easier for kids to get a hit. The bats are more forgiving, which means even if the ball doesn't hit the sweet spot, there's still a good chance the ball will be hit hard.
That's the crux of the lawsuit being filed by Steven's family against Little League Baseball, the bat manufacturer, and The Sports Authority, where the bat was sold. The family believes that they all should have known aluminum bats are dangerous.
Hillerich & Bradsby Co., is the maker of the 31-inch, 19-ounce Louisville Slugger TPX Platinum bat that hit the line drive that crippled Domalewski.
"Most studies indicate that the speed with which a ball comes off an aluminum bat is about 15 to 25 percent faster than a wooden bat," said Ernie Fronzuto, the family's attorney.
But aluminum bat advocates disagree.
"The exit speed of a ball off a metal bat is no greater than the exit speed on the finest wood ash bat. It would have happened in either situation," said Mike May of the "Don't Take My Bat Away Coalition."
But Steven's parents say their son is proof that changes need to be made.
"These bats are very dangerous, and something needs to be changed. I don't want to see any more kids getting hurt," said Mrs. Domalewski.
The Sports Authority did not respond to calls for comment and Little League International says it stands by its record.
"If you have a pitcher pitching to an aluminum bat, basically you're putting the kid playing Russian roulette as well as baseball," said Mr. Domalewski.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
More Openly Gay Celebrities
Click to enlarge
CPSC Announces Largest Crib Recall In History 2 mins ago 
CBS 2 Exclusive: Back From The Dead 9 mins ago 
Stumble It!
Reporting
Comments