N.Y. Lawsuit Questions Safety of Dodgeball The Associated Press Nov. 20, 2004 2. What is the primary claim made in this article? 1 Albany, N.Y- The high-energy school yard game of The question of dodgeball dodgeball is getting kicked around a New York O being played at schools justifies courtroom, where questions are being raised about a court case. whether it's just too dangerous for young children to play. The family of the girl who was 2 This week, a New York State Appellate Division O injured while playing dodgeball O panel refused to dismiss a lawsuit that claims a should receive compensation. school wronged a 7-year old girl who broke her elbow while playing dodgeball. The game of dodgeball should 3 State and national education officials say what O not be played by children makes the case unique is that the lawsuit during their school gym class doesn't fault the school for poor supervision-but for allowing children that young to play at all. The children who benefit from 4 The new challenge comes as the game is flourishing as a trendy adult activity' the obsession O playing dodgeball are not those who most need physical was the comic focus of a movie starring Ben Stiller. activity. 5 But the game is also being targeted as unfair, CLEAR ALL exclusionary, and warlike for school-age youngers; some schools in Maine, Maryland, New York, Virginia, Texas, Massachusetts and Utah have banned dodgeball, or its variations, including war ball, monster ball and kill ball. 6 "Dodgeball is not an appropriate activity for K-12 school physical education programs," according to the National Association for Sport and Physical Education, a nonprofit professional organization of 20,000 physical education teachers, professors, ches, athletic directors and trainers. Dodgeball vides, "limited opportunities for everyone in the s, especially the slower, less agile students who d the activity the most." ew York's case began in the fall of 2001. Seven- r-old Heather Lindaman was playing a variation dodgeball in gym class on a hardwood court. The version included several balls and no safety or protection zone to run from the thrown ball. 8 Heather became tangled with another child and fell, breaking her elbow. Her lawyer, Philip Johnson, said the injury required surgery and there is a - - L: _..:- - - : -LL - PREVIOUS O 1 (O 2 1 3 0 4 0 5 . . . NEXT > REVIEW & SUBMIT