Keeping Kids Safe and in the Game

Nathan Littauer Hospital and Mr. Stephen Tomlinson Superintendent of Schools Broadalbin-Perth Central School District, a local physician, an injured athlete, Physical Therapist and STOP Sports Liaison, William Oates, Athletic Director, Adam Barnhart, and the Broadalbin Youth Commission Director, Lou Magliocca.

Press conference to announce new program aimed at preventing sports injuries in young athletes. 

Compelling Statistics on a Growing Epidemic:

There is a growing epidemic of preventable youth sports injuries that are dismantling kids' athletic hopes and dreams at an early age. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), participation in organized sports is on the rise. Nearly 30 million children and adolescents participate in youth sports in the United States. This increase in play has led to some other startling statistics about injuries among America's young athletes. Sports injuries can cause permanent damage and increase the chances of surgeries and arthritis later in life. If an injury does occur, early identification and proper treatment is the key to a successful recovery. Armed with the correct information and tools, today’s youth athletes can remain healthy, play safe, and stay in the game for life.

* High school athletes account for an estimated 2 million injuries and 500,000 doctor visits and 30,000 hospitalizations each year.1

* More than 3.5 million kids under age 14 receive medical treatment for sports injuries each year.1

* Children ages 5 to 14 account for nearly 40 percent of all sports-related injuries treated in hospitals. On average the rate and severity of injury increases with a child's age.4

* Overuse injuries are responsible for nearly half of all sports injuries to middle and high school students2

* Although 62 percent of organized sports-related injuries occur during practice, one-third of parents do not have their children take the same safety precautions at practice that they would during a game.2

* Twenty percent of children ages 8 to 12 and 45 percent of those ages 13 to 14 will have arm pain during a single youth baseball season.3

* Injuries associated with participation in sports and recreational activities account for 21 percent of all traumatic brain injuries among children in the United States.4

* According to the CDC, more than half of all sports injuries in children are preventable.

* By age 13, 70 percent of kids drop out of youth sports. The top three reasons: adults, coaches and parents.2

* Among athletes ages 5 to 14, 28 percent of percent of football players, 25 percent of baseball players, 22 percent of soccer players, 15 percent of basketball players, and 12 percent of softball players were injured while playing their respective sports4

* Since 2000 there has been a fivefold increase in the number of serious shoulder and elbow injuries among youth baseball and softball players.4

Notes to the Media:

All persons involved in the press conference will be granting interviews. Individual interviews can also be arranged by contacting Cheryl McGrattan at Nathan Littauer Hospital at 518-773-5533.

Directions to the field:

Broadalbin Perth School address is 20 Pine Street, Broadalbin, NY 12025. Patriot Field is the football field for the Broadalbin Perth Patriots.

From Thruway / South:

Proceed North through Amsterdam on Route 30 into Broadalbin.

Take right onto Route 29 going East (toward Saratoga).

Go 1 and 7/10 miles, make right onto Pine Street / County Route 126

Go quarter mile, make right into Patriot Field entrance.

From East / Saratoga:

Travel West on Route 29 into Broadalbin.

Landmark: Ozoner 29 drive in theater on left side of 29.

About quarter mile past drive in, make left onto Pine Street / County Route 126 Go quarter mile, make right into Patriot Field entrance.

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