.... unbelievable .....

They're allowed soft and sponge balls.

Wow, let's go outside and play with our Nerf balls! LOL

oh my..we wouldn't want precious little Johnny to get hit by a BALL! A BALL PEOPLE! They aren't bullets, or crowbars. Teach..actually PLAY with the kids and TEACH them how to use the balls properly if the majority of kids are getting hurt by them. Crazy flipping idiots.

How are they going to learn how to duck?

Ron

The kids are so coddled and so protected, physically and mentally, is it any wonder that they cannot take disappointment or defend themselves? We're creating a world of sissies.

It seems like 'they' are going to many lengths to protect Little Johnny. In our town, one of the fields the school kids play baseball in. is surrounded with a chain link fence. This summer they installed foam rubber tubing around the top of the fence. I guess Little johnny can't see the fence when running for a ball. With the shortages of supplies for the class rooms, I sure question this expenditure. When Little Johnny grows up (if he does, with all of the dangers out there) he is going to be a wimpy germ-a phobic.

That's why obesity in kids is drastically on the rise. They are not encouraged to move. Just give 'em a video game and let them sit on their butts. Ridiculous! I shudder to see our society when these couch potatoes are adults.

It's a wonder I lived to the ripe old age I have, given that I played with balls, played in the dirt, jumped off rocks, and any number of so-called dangerous things that we must protect the fragile children from today.

Ronf, love your answer!

Omigosh, that sounds bizarre! I think I had a ball in my hands (often thrown by my dad) for most of my childhood.

That is just crazy.

Going to the next step.....for years I worked with a cheerleading squad, I loved it. But parents started coming in and complaining or demanding answers as to why 'Janey' did not make the cut. Why? Because Janey didn't know the routines or could not execute them, Janey is out of shape and unable to do what is required. We were accused of 'squashing the child's ego' and so today there are over 50 girls on the squad. Basically, anyone who wants to be there is on it. How sad is that? When do they learn to work for what they want?

Everyone on the baseball team gets a trophy so no one gets their feeling hurt

Here is the real story about it as we heard it. The kid at that school deliberately kicked a soccer ball at a mother and she ended up with a concussion. It was deliberate. The kid refused to apologize and the kid's parents refused to make the child apologize too. This way there is peer pressure and since all of the kid's friends will be mad at him, it may be the best solution. Lesson learned.

The news is making a big stink about it, but the true reason why this was done is not being broadcasted. I support the school if this is what realy happened.

Remember The Brady Bunch, where Marcia got hit in the nose with a ball? When I was a kid, I avoided balls. I'm the girl in volleyball who stepped aside when the ball came my way. What's my point, I dunno.

From this link
"An elementary school in Toronto's east end has banned children from bringing footballs, soccer balls, and even tennis balls after an incident left a parent with a concussion. The principal of Earl Beatty Public School says the ban began after a mother was hit in the head with a soccer ball kicked in the school's tiny schoolyard. She ended up with a concussion, and a spate of other injuries to students caused by other such "hard" balls has apparently forced the principal's hand, as apparently a sign informing parents to keep their heads up was out of the question. "

hmmm...has jump rope been banned? Someone could get hit by the rope, or trip and fall and be injured...food for thought.

I can remember playing dodge-ball and some of the kids could really sling that ball and it did hurt even though the rules were that the ball was to be below the waist.

Here is a link that might be useful: the story

There may well be more to the story. But...my 9 yo brought his football to school earlier this year. He and his friends were not allowed to play with it at recess because someone might get hurt. He is only allowed to bring a NERF football. IMO, the school has gone overboard.

or the dumbing of the rules for team sports...when my kids learned soccer in the 70's it was by the rules, full teams, ect..now we've got 3 on 3, no changing sides at half time, and the worst no off sides till your're under 10 or something like that? the kids havn't the faintest idea how to play...and when they do play full rule
sports it's horrible...

One person gets a headache from a freak happening and you eliminate exercise. Seems to me it's not the kids that need to wear helmets these days... Speaking of which, why wasn't this person wearing a helmet going into a war zone like a school anyway? Typical overreaction.

I just have to laugh.....Toronto bans balls so the kids are not permitted to grow any either........... I know, I'm Bad!!!!!!

Thirty years ago my son's public grammar school declared the swings, jungle gym and merry-go-round off limits. A pupil had sustained a minor injury, and his daddy, a lawyer, was suing the school district.

Banning use of the play equipment was a defense against lawsuits. I suspect that's at the bottom of the new rules at the school in Toronto.

If the truth were told those bans have nothing to do with protecting the kids...the bans are put in place to protect the school from exposure to frivalous lawsuits in the event a child should get a bloody nose or something.

this thought immediately popped in to my head ok so if balls are now so dangerous to kids if someone sees a Dad throwing ball with his kid is he going to be reported to child protection for endangering the child???? Will playing ball with Dad now be child abuse?

Holy Moley it just boggles the mind.
How far can things be pushed....

Hi Lynn D ...

... do I detect some discrimination against females, here ...

... who wouldn't be affected?

o j

P.S. I think that the item that we called a "softball" is included in the "off limits" items' list, as well.

o j

The banning is for a short time only, and not permanent. It is to force peer pressure on the kid who maliciously and purposely kicked the ball at a parent causing a concussion. Since the kid wouldn't apologize and the parents wouldn't make the kid apologize, the schools only option was to stop the harder balls hoping that a bit of peer pressure would teach the kid a lesson. If all his classmates were mad at him, perhaps the kid would make the kid realize that there were consequences to his action. As I see it, this has nothing to do with lawsuits.

"One person gets a headache from a freak happening and you eliminate exercise"

There's a big difference between a headache and a concussion. Instead of banning balls, how about detention and discipline?

Ohhh good grief!!!!

One the quickest lessons in responsibility that I learned as a wee one came when I hit a ball through our [what is now known as] den window. Justice was swift...and almost painless. ;-)

After reading your contribution, Heather...I can't help but wonder how old this little "darling" is...and what lessons need to be addressed in his home as a whole. sigh IMO...it's a very sad day when all must suffer for the sake of one. You must report whether this method was successful or not...please.

Anne

It wasn't a freak happening....as Judge Judy would say it was an "on purpose". They certainly aren't eliminating exercise.

Here is the article, from the Toronto Star.

Here is a link that might be useful: Ball Ban

That they're doing it to force an apology from the kid is even dumber than the thought of banning them altogether. Now schools make kids apologize? Come on!

They could have suspended him, expelled him or whatever if it was a violation of school rules but no, they want him to "apologize" and everyone will be happy. It's silly. Schools priorities are totally warped. But they keep begging for more money.

LynnD....love it!