Opening Day for Colorado Rockies Brings New TBI Protocols

Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association have adopted a new series of protocols under the new joint policy regarding concussions.

The biggest change is the creation of a seven-day disabled list (DL) which can be used instead of rushing a player back too soon after a possible concussion or placing him on the 15-day disabled list.  The seven-day disabled list will aim to allow time for the concussion to clear, prevent players from returning prematurely, and help clubs keep a full complement of players during the player’s absence.  If a player on the seven-day DL is out for more than 14 days, he will automatically and retroactively be transferred to the 15-day DL, effective with the first day of the initial placement, and with the prior 14 days applying to the initial 15-day maximum term.  This is implemented on a trial basis for the 2011 season.

Some of the other new key protocols include:

•Mandatory baseline neuropsychological testing requirements for players and umpires during Spring Training, or when a player joins a club during the season, formalizing a process that most individual Clubs follow;

•Protocols for evaluating players and umpires for a possible concussion, including during incidents typically associated with a high risk, such as being hit in the head a by a pitched, batted or thrown ball or by a bat; being in a collision with a player, umpire or fixed object; or any time when the head or neck of a player or an umpire is forcibly rotated; and

•Protocols for clearing a concussed player or umpire to return to activity; prior to the time that a concussed player is permitted to play in any game (including Major League, Minor League or extended Spring Training games), the Club must submit a “Return to Play” form to MLB’s Medical Director; submission of the form is required irrespective of whether the player was placed on the Disabled List.

A committee of experts created the policy, which will oversee the manner in which concussions are diagnosed initially and will be used to determine when players and umpires can return to the field following a concussion.  The Commissioner's Office will conduct an orientation for club medical staffs regarding the new protocols, and each club will be required to have a mild traumatic brain injury specialist in its home city.