Originally published March 19, 2008 at 12:00 AM | Page modified March 19, 2008 at 10:02 PM
PrintJury rules district wasn't negligent in North Mason High School pitcher's lawsuit
A Mason County jury ruled Wednesday afternoon that the North Mason School District was not negligent in pitching student Jason Koenig approximately...
Seattle Times staff reporter
Scores & stats
Schedule/results
Standings
Leaders
Teams
Rankings
More sports: Golf | Tennis | Swimming | Cross-country
SHELTON — A Mason County jury ruled Wednesday afternoon that the North Mason School District was not negligent in pitching student Jason Koenig approximately 425 pitches in a 16-day period in 2001.
In a lawsuit that Koenig's attorney believes was unprecedented in the United States — and one Koenig hopes nudges the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) to re-evaluate its rules — Koenig sued the school district in April 2004 for negligence.
Koenig, now a 24-year-old photographer based in Seattle, pitched in 14 of North Mason High School's first 18 games in 2001. At the heart of his suit was a stretch from April 11 to April 27, when he pitched in all five of North Mason's games and threw approximately 425 pitches.
On April 27, he threw 140 pitches in a nine-inning loss to Yelm, two days after throwing two innings in a relief appearance. He didn't pitch again because of injuries to his right shoulder and elbow.
The WIAA mandates that pitchers rest for two days if they pitch for more than three innings. WIAA executive director Mike Colbrese said he has not heard of any complaints regarding that rule.
Jay Hultberg was North Mason High School baseball coach, but was not named in the suit.
Lead juror Mary Newhall of Shelton said the jury, which deliberated for about two hours, did not believe Hultberg had enough information on the risk of high pitch counts at the time Koenig was injured.
Mark Dietzler, attorney for the school district, declined to comment and said the district would release a statement.
The defense argued that Hultberg did not violate the WIAA rules and that Koenig's involvement in summer and fall baseball programs contributed to his injury.
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
Print
Digg
Newsvine
NEW - 8:27 PM
All-league boys basketball teams
NEW - 8:31 PM
All-league girls basketball teams
All-league girls basketball teams
NEW - 8:21 PM
Stars of the week
Gonzaga Prep wins with defense, 61-41 | 4A Boys
911 audio: Caseworker reports Josh Powell has locked children inside his home
911 audio: Caseworker reports Josh Powell's house on fire with children inside
911 audio: Sister of Josh Powell reports disturbing emails
Chuck Cox reacts to Powell home fire, death of his grandsons
Sheriff's update: Josh Powell spread gasoline in home fire, sent goodbye emails
Don Bateman, inventor of Ground Proximity Warning System
Pierce County sheriff reacts to Powell home fire
Price of Protection: A victim speaks out
Price of Protection: Inside the Special Commitment Center
Open Houses
|
Find all open houses.
|
nwautos
Turismo upgrade "Gran Turismo 5: XL Edition" for PlayStation 3 has features such as new car-tuning settings, new NASCAR vehicles, better replay video...
Post a comment
- Lakewood cop accused of embezzling $150K meant for slain officers' families
- 3 big health insurers stockpile $2.4 billion as rates keep rising
- Social worker recounts minutes before Powell fire
- Agency set to investigate handling of 911 call about Josh Powell
- Quick decisions: How Washington hired its new football staff
- Historic day for gay marriage as another fight looms
- Justin Wilcox's versatile defensive style is the right fit for Huskies | Jerry Brewer
- Council members get briefing on arena proposal, minus details
- It's Terrence Time: Enigmatic Ross leads Huskies
- $25B settlement reached over foreclosure abuses
- Gay-marriage bill passes House, awaits Gregoire's signature
504 - Wanted in Seattle classrooms: more teachers of color 399
- Council members get briefing on arena proposal, minus details 350
- AP Source: Obama to change birth control rule 330
- Oregon live game thread 155
- Worker: Josh Powell told son he had 'surprise' 113
- Rough road again 108
- A few late-night notes 96
- USA Today further spells out how Mariners, handful of clubs next in line for huge cash windfall 76
- Marijuana legalization initiative set to go on Nov. ballot 74
- Wanted in Seattle classrooms: more teachers of color
- State Medicaid program to stop paying for unneeded ER visits
- 3 big health insurers stockpile $2.4 billion as rates keep rising
- Economy, blogs give survivalists new reason to look to Northwest
- State's share of mortgage settlement: $648 million
- Bellevue College adds a third bachelor's degree program
- Darren Berg gets 18-year sentence for Ponzi scheme
- One man's audacious pursuit of sailing history
- $25B settlement reached over foreclosure abuses
- 'Gauguin and Polynesia': dazzling mix-and-match | Art review
