NLMBA Concussion Protocol For 2025
Concussion Awareness
The purpose of this document is to work with the membership of NLMB to heighten the awareness of all parties regarding concussions.
Concussions occur during sports and in March 2018, the Government of Ontario passed legislation called Rowan's Law that affects minor and school sports. Direction in how the legislation is still being disseminated, so for the 2025 season the NLMBA will institute policy to assist with safety of players and try to reduce complications associated with concussions and other traumatic brain injuries. Under Rowan's Law, before any player can be registered with the local association and Baseball Ontario, the player, and the parent or legal guardian of the player if the player is under 18 years of age, must review one of the Concussion Education Resources provided by the Province of Ontario. All New Lowell Minor Baseball coaches, umpires, players and their parent or guardian must review these Concussion Awareness Resources at least once per year, and confirm that they have reviewed them when registering for all programs, including tryouts.
If through mechanism of injury during a baseball game - a coach, parent / guardian or umpire suspects a player has sustained a concussion then that player shall be removed from the game. If there is a concern that a player has sustained a concussion, then it will be brought forward to the coach so that the player can be removed from the game. The criteria for removal after a mechanism of injury, if the player voices concussion-like symptoms or loses consciousness at the time or after the incident. Loss of consciousness will constitute automatic removal from the game.
Before the player can return to playing baseball, they must be seen and cleared to play by a physician or other equivalent health care provider. The player and / or parent will provide a note from the health care provider stating the player can resume playing the sport. This note from the health care provider will be forwarded to the President of the NLMBA.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: By registering, I hereby confirm that the player being registered to participate in baseball activities with the local association and Baseball Ontario, and the parent or legal guardian of the player being registered if the player is under 18 years of age, have reviewed one of the concussion education resources provided by the Province of Ontario as referenced above and have reviewed the player code of conduct as referenced below. I/we further acknowledge understanding the nature and risk of concussion and head injuries to athletes, including risks of continuing to play after a concussion or head injury is suspected.