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| John Suk sits with shoulders slouched and his head down at the defendant’s table in Courtroom 301, a stuffy wood-paneled space inside the Somerset County judicial complex. The 31-year-old middle school teacher scribbles in a notebook as his reputation is shredded. The plaintiff’s attorneys in Civil Docket No. L-000629-15 have spent two full days portraying the co-defendant as an inattentive and unqualified lout. He is, they argue, a villain who destroyed the future of a teenager he was supposed to protect. “He must be held accountable for what he did,” one of the plaintiff’s two attorneys tells jurors during opening arguments. The attacks intensify when Suk takes the witness stand to defend himself on a split-second decision he made seven years earlier. He is accused of taking a reckless course of action that showed a callous disregard for another person's safety. He sounds like an awful person. Then you remember what Suk did to end up here. He instructed a player he was coaching during a junior varsity baseball game to slide. Not into an active volcano. Not into a shark tank. Into third base. |
Talk about a waste of tax payers money.
Also, although I've followed sports for a long time, I don't think I've ever heard of an ankle injury being so serious. They almost amputated? Even avoiding that, the kid's not supposed to so much as jog anymore? He must have absolutely destroyed his ankle.
Never thought I'd utter these words, but God bless that insurance company for drawing a line in the sand. What's right is right.
Realizing that accidents, as harsh as the outcome may be, happen. Next thing you know a family who had their child plummet to death from a careless Grandfather will sue......
Talk about a waste of tax payers money.
Wasted the insurance companies money.
A. Yes.
Q. What distance is not a safe distance for a runner to begin a slide?
A. Any distance inside two feet.
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Maybe the coach WAS negligent. You're telling me you think a kid can start a slide running full speed from 2 feet away?
I ask him: Was all this fair? Suing a coach?
He says he is a business owner who would never file a frivolous lawsuit. He believes his son was wronged, that too many of the facts of what happened on that ballfield didn’t come to light in the trial.
He doesn’t lay all the blame at Suk’s feet. He wants accountability from administrators who gave him the job without, he believes, enough preparation to keep his son safe. What about the next kid? Who will protect him?
“You have people just taking the extra $8,000 who don’t know what the hell they’re doing,” Rob Mesar says. “Somebody’s got to be responsible. Nobody is!”
This idea that someone always has to be responsible is a fallout of the way society tries to assign blame to everything.
My son tore his ACL at age 11 in a football practice preparing for an All-Star Game. Based on this ridiculous case, I could have sued regarding the idea of having 11-year olds play an All-Star game. Did the thought of a suit ever enter the picture? Hell no.
A. Yes.
Q. What distance is not a safe distance for a runner to begin a slide?
A. Any distance inside two feet.
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Maybe the coach WAS negligent. You're telling me you think a kid can start a slide running full speed from 2 feet away?
re-read.
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Q. And by your past answer, I take it that it’s your position that being six feet from a base with a runner running full speed, that it’s a safe distance to begin a slide?
A. Yes.
Q. What distance is not a safe distance for a runner to begin a slide?
A. Any distance inside two feet.
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Maybe the coach WAS negligent. You're telling me you think a kid can start a slide running full speed from 2 feet away?
re-read.
Think you need to re-read... He clearly says any distance inside of two feet meaning two feet away running full speed is safe. Not sure I agree with that.
His answer was inside two feet.
The question before was "What distance is safe"
His answer was "6 feet".
What am I missing?
His answer was inside two feet.
The question before was "What distance is safe"
His answer was "6 feet".
What am I missing?
Ok so if someone says inside of two feet is when it is not safe, what does that say about starting a slide at two feet? It isn't inside of two feet when it isn't safe sooooooo... He should of said inside of 6 feet maybe
His answer was inside two feet.
The question before was "What distance is safe"
His answer was "6 feet".
What am I missing?
He doesn't say that 6 feet is point at which it becomes safe. He says that the kid was 6 feet away, which is a safe distance. Then says that within 2 feet is unsafe. So he's pretty clearly saying that beyond 2 feet is where it becomes safe, and the kid was well beyond that.
He said when it was safe 6 feet sure, but when asked when isn't it safe. So when is it dangerous? When shouldn't you slide because it isn't safe... what does he answer? Not sure why you are struggling with this.
He stated that 6 feet is acceptable to start a slide. Unless he specifically taught kids not to slide until they were a dangerous distance (like a foot) away, it is immaterial to the case.
It is also the kind of detail that a lawyer hammers at that is meant to bring blame. If you tear an achilles playing on Field Turf, is it acceptable to bring the manufacturer to court and ask them what testing they've done to prevent achilles tears? What level of uneven blades of artificial grass could cause injury. Would asking teh manufacturer the safe level be pertinent? Why haven't these studies been done? It is a sidebar meant to cast blame more than actually wanting to understand the question
He stated that 6 feet is acceptable to start a slide. Unless he specifically taught kids not to slide until they were a dangerous distance (like a foot) away, it is immaterial to the case.
It is also the kind of detail that a lawyer hammers at that is meant to bring blame. If you tear an achilles playing on Field Turf, is it acceptable to bring the manufacturer to court and ask them what testing they've done to prevent achilles tears? What level of uneven blades of artificial grass could cause injury. Would asking teh manufacturer the safe level be pertinent? Why haven't these studies been done? It is a sidebar meant to cast blame more than actually wanting to understand the question
To be clear the lawsuit is stupid and should be thrown out. I just hope he isn't coaching if he thinks it starts being safe at under two feet sheesh.
His response was that at 2 feet it is very dangerous.
Am I missing a part of the story?
His response was that at 2 feet it is very dangerous.
Am I missing a part of the story?
Seriously, I'm having trouble following this. Genuinely.
It's become more the norm now that insurance companies won't settle. It started with the Med Mal insurers and has spread.
Also, although I've followed sports for a long time, I don't think I've ever heard of an ankle injury being so serious. They almost amputated? Even avoiding that, the kid's not supposed to so much as jog anymore? He must have absolutely destroyed his ankle.
Unlikely
Please understand that the plaintiff is exagerating the injury to maximize the settlement. All medical reports will be very biased until the case is closed.
Basic principles apply; by playing a competative sport, he and his parents should assume all risk. Ens of story
His response was that at 2 feet it is very dangerous.
Am I missing a part of the story?
Here is the question to him and his answer...
Q. And by your past answer, I take it that it’s your position that being six feet from a base with a runner running full speed, that it’s a safe distance to begin a slide?
A. Yes.
Q. What distance is not a safe distance for a runner to begin a slide?
A. Any distance inside two feet.
Lawsuit stupid... sliding two feet away from the base running full speed also stupid.
[quote] I wish the article went into more detail about how the plaintiffs successfully appealed after the case was initially thrown out. Seems like something that should have never proceeded, so it would be interesting to read more about why it did. At any rate, while it's frustrating that something like this went to trial, justice appears to have been served.
Yeah. NJ has pretty good law about summary judgments and rulings have encouraged judges to issue them. It would be interesting what the appeals court thought but that would be a pretty detailed and long legal analysis that doesn't sell papers.
It is dangerous to slide inside of two feet. Should he have said "4 feet, 8 inches??"
And frankly, there probably isn't a place to find the right answer as if would vary by player, by height, weight and skill level.
The stupidity is a lawsuit trying to trap the guy into saying something he shouldn't.
The two feet distance answer was a great question by the lawyer to create confusion or doubt. Which it has here. Glad some of you weren't on that jury.
It is dangerous to slide inside of two feet. Should he have said "4 feet, 8 inches??"
And frankly, there probably isn't a place to find the right answer as if would vary by player, by height, weight and skill level.
The stupidity is a lawsuit trying to trap the guy into saying something he shouldn't.
He is wrong. Probably the best answer would have been as you said it... It would vary by player, by height, weight, and skill level. This is who I would want coaching my kid right. I mean less than two feet? Meaning if he was coaching the kid was two feet away he would be fine having him slide... ummm no and here is the best way to try this. Go to a field, mark two feet away from the bag, run full speed, and slide at the two feet mark. I would wager the majority of the planet with have a bad outcome.... maybe not seriously injured, but definitely not going to be on the bag and will most likely be out. Horrible coach.
It's sad, and it sucks. I hate it.
The two feet distance answer was a great question by the lawyer to create confusion or doubt. Which it has here. Glad some of you weren't on that jury.
You are so focused on the lawsuit.... forget the lawsuit. Would you want him coaching you to slide two feet away from the bag running full speed? Saying yes doesn't mean he should have lost the lawsuit. It just means he is a bad coach.
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he felt that was a safe distance to call for a slide. It was.
The two feet distance answer was a great question by the lawyer to create confusion or doubt. Which it has here. Glad some of you weren't on that jury.
You are so focused on the lawsuit.... forget the lawsuit. Would you want him coaching you to slide two feet away from the bag running full speed? Saying yes doesn't mean he should have lost the lawsuit. It just means he is a bad coach.
He didn't, though. He called the slide from six feet away. It was, as the article said, a bang bang play/decision.
The lawyer, on the spot, asked him what he thought wasn't safe. He answered inside two feet. Does that mean he coaches kids or calls for slides up to two feet? No, it was just an answer to trick question that served it's purpose.
Forget the lawsuit - but also forget that answer. What did he do on the play in question? He signalled for the kid to slide at 6 feet.
Anything else is just hypotheticals.
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In comment 14678597 Britt in VA said:
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he felt that was a safe distance to call for a slide. It was.
The two feet distance answer was a great question by the lawyer to create confusion or doubt. Which it has here. Glad some of you weren't on that jury.
You are so focused on the lawsuit.... forget the lawsuit. Would you want him coaching you to slide two feet away from the bag running full speed? Saying yes doesn't mean he should have lost the lawsuit. It just means he is a bad coach.
He didn't, though. He called the slide from six feet away. It was, as the article said, a bang bang play/decision.
The lawyer, on the spot, asked him what he thought wasn't safe. He answered inside two feet. Does that mean he coaches kids or calls for slides up to two feet? No, it was just an answer to trick question that served it's purpose.
Feels like you are being obtuse so I would just stop after this one last try.
No one agrees with the lawsuit.
We all agree the lawsuit it is crap.
It is a shame this even went to court.
Now if you can, try and use that brain of yours outside of the lawsuit for a second. Would you want a coach, any coach (not your brother like this guy must be) telling you (or your kids if you have them) to slide at two feet away from the base while you are running full speed? Because by saying you thought inside of two is when if because dangerous, then you are saying anything two feet or more is safe. It really is simple when you stop holding onto your, "but he made him slide at 6 feet" mindset and try and listen.
There is a lot of bad coaches in the world and sliding that close to the base is not safe. Therefore while being a bad coach doesn't mean you should be able to sue him, being an unsafe coach means that this guy shouldn't....... come on you can do this.
That he actually told any of the kids he's coached to go ahead and slide up til two feet away from the base?
Does that sound right?
You've determined he's a horrible coach and basically negligent because he said it was not safe to slide under two feet.
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Would you want a coach, any coach (not your brother like this guy must be) telling you (or your kids if you have them) to slide at two feet away from the base while you are running full speed?
That he actually told any of the kids he's coached to go ahead and slide up til two feet away from the base?
I have proof of his willingness to do this by his answer. He feels two feet is safe. Are you actually arguing that while he thinks two feet is a safe distance to slide, if he continued to coach he would only have them slide at 6 feet because that is what this one slide was?
Does that sound right?
You've determined he's a horrible coach and basically negligent because he said it was not safe to slide under two feet.
So to be clear here. You want to defend a coach (not the lawsuit) that gave a dangerous answer of when it was safe to slide? That he could be a safe coach even though clearly sliding that close at full speed no one would agree with as a safe proper answer?
I have proof of his willingness to do this by his answer. He feels two feet is safe. Are you actually arguing that while he thinks two feet is a safe distance to slide, if he continued to coach he would only have them slide at 6 feet because that is what this one slide was?
Did he actually tell his kids to slide up until they were 2 feet from the base? If not, than your proof isn't proof at all, just a poorly worded answer to a professional interrogator.
The only argument I can see for this case would be if the coach never taught kids how to slide. But even then, it was HS JV, it's not like these kids had never played before.
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keeps coming back to the fact that you're judging an entire man's career, integrity, character, and everything else on three words said in a court, without ever attending a single practice that this man was coaching at.
Does that sound right?
You've determined he's a horrible coach and basically negligent because he said it was not safe to slide under two feet.
So to be clear here. You want to defend a coach (not the lawsuit) that gave a dangerous answer of when it was safe to slide? That he could be a safe coach even though clearly sliding that close at full speed no one would agree with as a safe proper answer?
Playing your game...
That was NOT the question. The question is when is it NOT SAFE to slide. His answer of inside 2 feet fits your criteria.
In comment 14678670 Amtoft said:
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Would you want a coach, any coach (not your brother like this guy must be) telling you (or your kids if you have them) to slide at two feet away from the base while you are running full speed?
That he actually told any of the kids he's coached to go ahead and slide up til two feet away from the base?
I have proof of his willingness to do this by his answer. He feels two feet is safe. Are you actually arguing that while he thinks two feet is a safe distance to slide, if he continued to coach he would only have them slide at 6 feet because that is what this one slide was?
seriously? What distance is not safe to slide... ANY DISTANCE INSIDE OF 2 FEET. What does that mean to you? Maybe your not accepting of his dangerous answer is why we have these dumb lawsuits.
In comment 14678670 Amtoft said:
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In comment 14678655 Britt in VA said:
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Would you want a coach, any coach (not your brother like this guy must be) telling you (or your kids if you have them) to slide at two feet away from the base while you are running full speed?
That he actually told any of the kids he's coached to go ahead and slide up til two feet away from the base?
I have proof of his willingness to do this by his answer. He feels two feet is safe. Are you actually arguing that while he thinks two feet is a safe distance to slide, if he continued to coach he would only have them slide at 6 feet because that is what this one slide was?
Why is that? I want to hear your dumb answer.
You've said it was a dumb lawsuit, that shouldn't have been in court or thrown out. Frivilous.
The lawyer, as he is trained to do, planted a seed of doubt in your head that maybe the coach was negligent by the letter of the law. And you, as a responsible juror, would have to throw out common sense in the jury room and go only by testimony given. Which then could confuse and/or sway other jurors.
Basically, the lawyer would have played you like a fiddle.
You've said it was a dumb lawsuit, that shouldn't have been in court or thrown out. Frivilous.
The lawyer, as he is trained to do, planted a seed of doubt in your head that maybe the coach was negligent by the letter of the law. And you, as a responsible juror, would have to throw out common sense in the jury room and go only by testimony given. Which then could confuse and/or sway other jurors.
Basically, the lawyer would have played you like a fiddle.
You are an idiot. You can't separate what is not a legit lawsuit from someone who shouldn't be coaching. The fact that you think there could be a seed of doubt on this lawsuit by what a lawyer asked would more reflect your inability to think outside of a legal sense. To me you would be the worst on a trial because of this reason. You can say that sliding that close is dangerous, but by no means makes him negligent. Multiple things can be true and stupid lawyers and people like you love to try and make to black and white. It is people who see in black and white that cause this bullshit. Just because someone is bad at there job doesn't make a lawsuit valid. The fact you think it is not ok to say that the lawsuit is stupid, but also he shouldn't be coaching is obtuse.
I would contend the idiot is the person so easily swayed by that.
I would contend the idiot is the person so easily swayed by that.
See and I would say the idiot is the one who thinks because someone says that is a dangerous answer that now somehow that makes the lawsuit valid to anyone is the idiot. You can't admit sliding that close is dangerous is on you.
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is the one that determines a man's entire career worth from a five word answer to a question delivered by a professional interrogator who designed the question to make him slip up.
I would contend the idiot is the person so easily swayed by that.
See and I would say the idiot is the one who thinks because someone says that is a dangerous answer that now somehow that makes the lawsuit valid to anyone is the idiot. You can't admit sliding that close is dangerous is on you.
The irony is the coach never said that either.
No evidence exists that he ever taught a person to slide within 2 feet or even at 2 feet. The evidence of where he's told people to slide in 6 feet.
Everything else is a hypothetical. I mean, this thread really turned out weird, especially throwing doubt on the coach for something he didn't actually do.
You are dredging him through the mud on an answer that had nothing to do with the actual play the lawsuit was about.
Show where he says that he's taught players to slide at or within 2 feet. Otherwise, calling otehrs idiots here is really foolish.
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But that wasn't the question. By design.
seriously? What distance is not safe to slide... ANY DISTANCE INSIDE OF 2 FEET. What does that mean to you? Maybe your not accepting of his dangerous answer is why we have these dumb lawsuits.
What it means to me is the defendant smartly gave an answer that couldn't have led to there being any question about whether he could have thought starting a slide at 6ft was dangerous.
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In comment 14678812 Britt in VA said:
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is the one that determines a man's entire career worth from a five word answer to a question delivered by a professional interrogator who designed the question to make him slip up.
I would contend the idiot is the person so easily swayed by that.
See and I would say the idiot is the one who thinks because someone says that is a dangerous answer that now somehow that makes the lawsuit valid to anyone is the idiot. You can't admit sliding that close is dangerous is on you.
The irony is the coach never said that either.
It isn't? He was asked when it wasn't safe, meaning at what point is it dangerous and his answer was within 2 feet. So for him it becomes dangerous inside 2 feet which is a wrong answer for a coach. You can't admit that fine. That is on you and you hate to be wrong I get it, however... I am going to love when you try the "what is your definition of "IS" argument. As I said you are the reason we have these dumb lawsuits. You are a lawyers dream.
Forget the lawsuit. Forget anything else. Just show where the coach advocated that he's told players to slide at or within 2 feet.
That's really what you're railing about.
No evidence exists that he ever taught a person to slide within 2 feet or even at 2 feet. The evidence of where he's told people to slide in 6 feet.
Everything else is a hypothetical. I mean, this thread really turned out weird, especially throwing doubt on the coach for something he didn't actually do.
You are dredging him through the mud on an answer that had nothing to do with the actual play the lawsuit was about.
Show where he says that he's taught players to slide at or within 2 feet. Otherwise, calling otehrs idiots here is really foolish.
Ok we disagree. I give up. I am not going to word play now that his answer of when it becomes dangerous within 2 feet. A slide that close is not only dangerous, but risky in getting the runner out. It would be bad coaching plain and simple. If our HC gave a similar stupid answer like that he would be ripped to pieces. You think his answer is ok and I don't.
Have a great day.
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is the one that determines a man's entire career worth from a five word answer to a question delivered by a professional interrogator who designed the question to make him slip up.
I would contend the idiot is the person so easily swayed by that.
See and I would say the idiot is the one who thinks because someone says that is a dangerous answer that now somehow that makes the lawsuit valid to anyone is the idiot. You can't admit sliding that close is dangerous is on you.
Good lord, you are obtuse. Most people are inherently poor at gauging distance. Ask 100 people to show you how long two feet actually is and you'll get 100 very different answers, and I doubt most of them would even be within 6 inches. There are no yard or distance markers on a baseball field and the safety of a slide is based on multiple factors including the player's speed, weight, and experience. The coach gave an answer to essentially an unanswerable question based on his own likely false perception of distance.
The lawyer asked him a question to try to trip him up and create doubt about the coach's ability and it worked magnificently, especially in your case.
He was asked a safe distance to slide. He was asked when the player began the slide. Why is that CORRECT answer being dismissed, but a hypothetical is being held to a higher standard?
I probably coached a thousand kids over the years, many with no athletic ability at all, (just like me) so if they are unable to execute a basic play what are you supposed to do?
I probably coached a thousand kids over the years, many with no athletic ability at all, (just like me) so if they are unable to execute a basic play what are you supposed to do?
That wasn't even the case, here. He signaled the slide when the runner was 6 feet away. It was a basic play, and a freak accident. Nothing more.
He was asked a safe distance to slide. He was asked when the player began the slide. Why is that CORRECT answer being dismissed, but a hypothetical is being held to a higher standard?
I am not dismissing it. Look even if he told him to slide at 2 feet and the player got hurt that doesn't mean he has a lawsuit. Just because in a game he makes a bad judgement or a rush decision wouldn't hold him accountable in a lawsuit. However if you ask a good coach this question (which I am sure he was prepped for) do you think he would answer within 2 feet? I don't care about the dumb lawsuit, but as a player and one time coach that answer is dumb and would be dangerous and not someone I would want coaching me or my kid. I don't understand why people are fighting so hard to defending the stupid answer he gave. Clearly we disagree about his answer and that is that.
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In comment 14678672 Britt in VA said:
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But that wasn't the question. By design.
seriously? What distance is not safe to slide... ANY DISTANCE INSIDE OF 2 FEET. What does that mean to you? Maybe your not accepting of his dangerous answer is why we have these dumb lawsuits.
What it means to me is the defendant smartly gave an answer that couldn't have led to there being any question about whether he could have thought starting a slide at 6ft was dangerous.
I have resisted chiming in on this argument because it seems so ridiculous to go around and around about it, but this is also what I first thought when reading it, and I believe is the obvious answer.
The lawyer was hoping he would say something borderline in distance to where the kid did slide from but the coach smartly answered in a way that separates that answer from what occurred.
Thank you for this. All the talk about 2 feet being dangerous but no one gave any thought of what is considered "safe". I was looking online for the "safe" distance and couldn't find it.
6ft is plenty of distance to start your slide, 4ft probably isn't an issue either for some. I'd agree that 2ft or less is considered dangerous. But I'm sure we've all seen a major league player slide withing 2ft of the base.
What also seems to be lost in all this is that the plaintiff was regarded as a talented athlete, who played varsity basketball in the winter.
I'm surprised Gill St Bernard's didn't get sued for poor field conditions.
There was a bang bang play in a county lacrosse game in 2010. Home team midfielder was going down the sideline and a long poled came over and cleanly hit him out of bounds at the end of the home team bench. The home team had their bags lined up at the end of the bench. Both players go crashing over the bags and the midfielder stays down the ground. Turns out he tore his ACL. Defender who made the hit is being sued
"For Mesar to win, his attorneys must prove Suk’s actions met a standard of recklessness under New Jersey case law that is defined as 'an extreme departure from ordinary care in which a high degree of danger is apparent.'”
Just pointing that out. Carry on...
It doesn't change the culpability at all. I mean really if you want to get into it, the coach doesn't have some control button on the player dictating when the slide would start. The job of a 3rd base coach is to let the runner know if a play is coming in and he needs to slide to avoid the tag or standing stop on the bag or round the bag, etc. If he signals the runner 15 feet out he will need to slide, it doesn't mean the runner starts sliding at 15 feet like he pushed some button. Really the players should be coached how to slide properly and safely to his ability and then it is the 3rd base coaches job to give him the correct signal in as much advance as possible.
I am sorry to derail the thread, but that answer really bugs me. Dangerous for the player to attempt that close and even if the player doesn't get hurt chances of most people trying to stop at full speed from 2 feet away in a slide will almost always lead to flying off the bag. The answer is just bad for so many reasons from a person who should have been prepped for this and was coaching.
I am sorry to derail the thread, but that answer really bugs me.
You act like he answered the question in a coaching seminar teaching other coaches how to slide.
He is involved in a lawsuit and answered a trick kind of question in a way that the answer couldn't be blurred into anything close to what occurred. For all you know his attorney advised him to do so.
It shouldn't bother you at all.
I feel like if my coach yelled for me to slide around the 6ft mark being described, its now on me to either slide right away or trust my instincts and slide a little later
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I am sorry to derail the thread, but that answer really bugs me.
You act like he answered the question in a coaching seminar teaching other coaches how to slide.
He is involved in a lawsuit and answered a trick kind of question in a way that the answer couldn't be blurred into anything close to what occurred. For all you know his attorney advised him to do so.
It shouldn't bother you at all.
That isn't a trick question though. That could have been answered a number of correct ways without saying stupid like less than 2 feet is when it becomes dangerous. If his attorney told him to answer like that he shouldn't be coaching either!
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I am sorry to derail the thread, but that answer really bugs me.
You act like he answered the question in a coaching seminar teaching other coaches how to slide.
He is involved in a lawsuit and answered a trick kind of question in a way that the answer couldn't be blurred into anything close to what occurred. For all you know his attorney advised him to do so.
It shouldn't bother you at all.
That isn't a trick question though. That could have been answered a number of correct ways without saying stupid like less than 2 feet is when it becomes dangerous. If his attorney told him to answer like that he shouldn't be coaching either!
But the answer wasn't about coaching, it was about answering a question in defense of being sued. How do you not see that?
Amtoft, this isn't a coaching clinic on proper slide techniques. This is a lawyer who is defending his client.
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In comment 14678980 steve in ky said:
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I am sorry to derail the thread, but that answer really bugs me.
You act like he answered the question in a coaching seminar teaching other coaches how to slide.
He is involved in a lawsuit and answered a trick kind of question in a way that the answer couldn't be blurred into anything close to what occurred. For all you know his attorney advised him to do so.
It shouldn't bother you at all.
That isn't a trick question though. That could have been answered a number of correct ways without saying stupid like less than 2 feet is when it becomes dangerous. If his attorney told him to answer like that he shouldn't be coaching either!
But the answer wasn't about coaching, it was about answering a question in defense of being sued. How do you not see that?
The answer was about what a coach thought when a slide became a dangerous distance to slide. If you are saying the coach lied about what he thought was a safe distance in defense of being sued then I would say that is perjury. If you are saying the answer was what the coach believed that is when the distance becomes dangerous then I would say that is a coach giving a wrong answer. The thing is even if he thinks less than two feet is when it becomes dangerous that doesn't make him liable. Just makes him wrong.
He did NOT say that it was safe to slide at 2 Feet. Or 3 Feet. Or 4 Feet.
Just that it was NOT safe to slide within two feet. He agrees with you!
He did NOT say that it was safe to slide at 2 Feet. Or 3 Feet. Or 4 Feet.
Just that it was NOT safe to slide within two feet. He agrees with you!
YES! Depends what your definition of "IS" is... Thank you Clinton and that is why we have this lawsuit.
Say he would have answered, "Oh of course some of it depends on the runners skill at sliding but I guess at minimum 3 1/2 to 4 feet, but ideally probably even at least five".
Much better answer if talking sliding with another coach, but a horrible answer given the circumstances he was in when answering, and probably opens a lot of doors for the opposing attorney to then proceed through.
But again, I think we are just seeing it entirely differently and just talking past each other because if it. No big deal.
Say he would have answered, "Oh of course some of it depends on the runners skill at sliding but I guess at minimum 3 1/2 to 4 feet, but ideally probably even at least five".
Much better answer if talking sliding with another coach, but a horrible answer given the circumstances he was in when answering, and probably opens a lot of doors for the opposing attorney to then proceed through.
But again, I think we are just seeing it entirely differently and just talking past each other because if it. No big deal.
I hear you ... we just see it differently because to me the lawsuit is a joke. To me it seem people are saying it is ok to lie and say less than two feet to save his skin. To me I wouldn't of even said any feet because it depends on the player. It could never be the same for each runner.
At least you didn't try and say "Any distance inside two feet" could mean 3 feet or 4 feet or any feet inside of two feet. That is why case like this proceed. Maybe I can trick someone that he actually means 3 or 4 or even 6 feet thus liable.
That's what everybody has been trying to point out to you.
And if somebody is trying to trick you into saying something, then you say all you need to say to answer the question without incriminating yourself.
Everybody on this thread seems to see that except you!
That's what everybody has been trying to point out to you.
And if somebody is trying to trick you into saying something, then you say all you need to say to answer the question without incriminating yourself.
Everybody on this thread seems to see that except you!
So you are saying that he lied? Ok Clinton thanks for your input.
No Clinton... You are saying he could have meant 3 feet or 4 feet also. So did he mean 3 feet or 4 feet or less than 2 feet? It sounds like you are saying he answered less than 2 feet even though he knows that is much to close to save his ass? Thus the answer is dishonest. He either believes it or he doesn't.
Haha true. Now it just messing with Clinton and his less than 2 feet could mean 3 feet or 4 feet.
"Q. What distance is not a safe distance for a runner to begin a slide?"
Had the attorney been a little sharper he could have phrased it as what is the minimum safe distance? But that isn't what he asked and I see no reason the coach should have voluntarily stepped into the trap the attorney was attempting to set; especially given the circumstances of lawsuit.
"Q. What distance is not a safe distance for a runner to begin a slide?"
Had the attorney been a little sharper he could have phrased it as what is the minimum safe distance? But that isn't what he asked and I see no reason the coach should have voluntarily stepped into the trap the attorney was attempting to set; especially given the circumstances of lawsuit.
Oh boy, that's going to make you Gore.
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I'm a big stickler for not lying, kind of s pet peeve with me. But he didn't lie, just played their game. Two feet is factually a distance he considers unsafe.
"Q. What distance is not a safe distance for a runner to begin a slide?"
Had the attorney been a little sharper he could have phrased it as what is the minimum safe distance? But that isn't what he asked and I see no reason the coach should have voluntarily stepped into the trap the attorney was attempting to set; especially given the circumstances of lawsuit.
Oh boy, that's going to make you Gore.
Sweet I invented the internet!
Quote:
I'm a big stickler for not lying, kind of s pet peeve with me. But he didn't lie, just played their game. Two feet is factually a distance he considers unsafe.
"Q. What distance is not a safe distance for a runner to begin a slide?"
Had the attorney been a little sharper he could have phrased it as what is the minimum safe distance? But that isn't what he asked and I see no reason the coach should have voluntarily stepped into the trap the attorney was attempting to set; especially given the circumstances of lawsuit.
Oh boy, that's going to make you Gore.
Please no, LOL
If the cleats fit you must acquit!
Love it!
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Slide or die!
If the cleats fit you must acquit!
I bet if you look at his legacy after that day, it is probably littered with broken children he tried to kill just like that poor kid.
I bet if you look at his legacy after that day, it is probably littered with broken children he tried to kill just like that poor kid.
He probably tells kids to not bother with wearing seat belts, talk to as many strangers as they can, and eat unsealed Halloween candy. Throw the book at him!
MLB Worst Slides - ( New Window )
1:45! Less than 2 feet!
"Q. What distance is not a safe distance for a runner to begin a slide?"
Had the attorney been a little sharper he could have phrased it as what is the minimum safe distance? But that isn't what he asked and I see no reason the coach should have voluntarily stepped into the trap the attorney was attempting to set; especially given the circumstances of lawsuit.
Just to be clear...
"Suk’s deposition testimony from three years ago, when the coach said a slide was safe anywhere from outside of two feet"
They already had that.
The thing that really makes me made about this... They never say whether he was safe or not.
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. MLB Worst Slides - ( New Window )
1:45! Less than 2 feet!
EXACTLY! see how he falls plus if this was into 3rd he just overshot the base and he is out! Slide less than 2 feet... horrible! hahahaha
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In comment 14679086 Del Shofner said:
Quote:
. MLB Worst Slides - ( New Window )
1:45! Less than 2 feet!
EXACTLY! see how he falls plus if this was into 3rd he just overshot the base and he is out! Slide less than 2 feet... horrible! hahahaha
Quote:
In comment 14679086 Del Shofner said:
Quote:
. MLB Worst Slides - ( New Window )
1:45! Less than 2 feet!
EXACTLY! see how he falls plus if this was into 3rd he just overshot the base and he is out! Slide less than 2 feet... horrible! hahahaha
The other aspect is I have seen all kinds of kids that were superstars in 9th grade that became 3rd stringers by the time they were seniors so that argument that he lost any kind of a great sports career is pure speculation
But there is the pop-up slide, a feet-first slide going over the bag, head first slides to the bag, and slides both feet first or head first around the bag, where the player reaches with their arms to grab the bag.
I know none of this info is a revelation, but the point here is that if the player chooses which slide to perform, then that player can choose a safer option at any distance, even less than two feet away.
The coach shouldn't have said that any slide was dangerous, because you can safely slide within very close proximity to the bag, it's just all relative to the slide the player chooses.
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In comment 14679102 Britt in VA said:
Quote:
In comment 14679086 Del Shofner said:
Quote:
. MLB Worst Slides - ( New Window )
1:45! Less than 2 feet!
EXACTLY! see how he falls plus if this was into 3rd he just overshot the base and he is out! Slide less than 2 feet... horrible! hahahaha
it stinks your child hurt himself sliding into 3rd base.
Actually my son isn't a fan of baseball which sucks for me. He is actually pretty good, but I don't force him to play anything. He prefers football and basketball instead.
That said one of the worst injuries I saw was at a men's adult softball tournament with a player sliding into third... I have never seen a foot in that angle it was disgusting and brutal. I will let him know he can sue his teammate for suggesting to slide.
The other aspect is I have seen all kinds of kids that were superstars in 9th grade that became 3rd stringers by the time they were seniors so that argument that he lost any kind of a great sports career is pure speculation