Instead, Easton went through what his father called “our worst nightmare” when he fell from the top bunk bed in the dormitories where the teams stay, fracturing his skull and undergoing three head surgeries. His father said that the residual effects of the injuries will cause Easton to suffer for the rest of his life.
Easton has been comforted by an extraordinary campaign from Salinas Buddy, a standout Little League former man from Oxnard, who has devoted his life to helping people overcome life-threatening bladder and kidney problems, including a tweet of support from Mookie Betts, the Dodgers’ standout.
Salinas, on behalf of Team Easton, requested thoughts and prayers while affixing a large banner to a forklift at the Oxnard Power Machinery Center, which is located next to the Ventura Freeway. Additionally, he gathered special items for Easton, such as a baseball bat autographed by Don Drysdale, a renowned pitcher in the Dodgers Hall of Fame, and a baseball signed by Nolan Arenado, the third baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals.
“Hey, Easton, this is Mookie Betts. I simply want to inform you that we are offering our prayers for you, contemplating about you, and I am eager to see you in the near future, my friend,” Betts expressed, appearing on camera.
However, Easton’s recuperation has been as painful as it has been calculated.
In an interview with The Times, Jace stated, “He has the ability to dress well and engage in activities, but he will never regain the level of performance he had during the World Series.”
Little League officials announced the closure of the dormitories where players had resided for many years due to the presence of bunk beds, citing “pending litigation”. Unfortunately, Brogan Oliverson’s experience at the Western Regional in San Bernardino did not unfold as anticipated either. Instead, Little League provided hotel accommodations, meals, and transportation for all players from the 12 teams.
Easton claims that the lawsuit, filed in October by the Oliversons in Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas against Little League and the manufacturer of the bunk beds in Williamsport, is a civil suit involving inconvenience, disfigurement, suffering, embarrassment, humiliation, contusions, trauma, pains, aches, and ongoing future suffering as well as past suffering. Easton also asserts that the lawsuit lacks guardrails.
During the 10-day competition, their only knowledge was that the athletes were not allowed to stay in the dorms and form close relationships all day and night. Numerous families at the Western Regionals were unaware of Easton’s accident and life-threatening injuries.
The Oliversons felt uneasy.
Jace expressed, “During the legal proceedings, they are informing everyone that instead of spending $250,000 on transportation and hotel food, they utilized the funds to renovate and demolish the dormitories. They also managed to obtain bunk beds throughout the year. It was revealed that it was a terrible situation in San Bernardino.”
“They focused their attention on us when they had ample time to address it.”
Jace mentioned that his family received unfriendly treatment from Little League authorities.
He stated, “A gag order was necessary.” “Only two individuals inquired about Easton’s well-being,” he added. “Out of the entire population in San Bernardino.”
In order to prevent any injuries like Easton’s from last year, the tournament officials have decided to prohibit the use of bunk beds in the facilities. As a temporary solution, each player is currently sleeping on a bed on the ground floor. This decision was announced on Sunday, before the International Little League competition began on Thursday. Unfortunately, Utah lost in the final game of the Western Region, which means they will not qualify for the World Series.
Following the publication of the study, numerous producers issued recalls for bunk beds. The majority of injuries each year resulted from falls from bunk beds, with a higher occurrence among children aged 6 and under and young adults aged 18 to 21, as reported in a study conducted in 2018. In 2019, a player experienced a severe brain injury, and since 2005, at least twelve players have sustained injuries from falls from bunk beds, as stated in the lawsuit discovery. Little League took a considerable amount of time, which makes Jace wonder why, but the Oliversons are satisfied with the corrective measures taken.
Jace remarked, “It’s absurd how Little League concealed this issue.” Oliverson’s attorneys have discovered more facts that have been incorporated into the legal case, which has been modified multiple times.
The pitch limits are strictly enforced. In 1996, headfirst slides and circles on-deck were banned. It is surprising how Little League is conscious regarding safety matters on the field, considering the lack of guardrails.
“Little League responded by stating that they have made the decision to furnish the participants of the 2023 Little League International Tournament with individual, single-story beds for their accommodation at every tournament venue. This includes the dormitories in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, which are capable of accommodating all 14 single beds.”
The organization will continue to work to ensure the well-being and safety of all our players, with their priorities remaining at the forefront. Stephen Keener, the executive chief and president of Little League, expressed in a statement that he remains heartbroken and devastated by what has transpired. The lawsuit was filed when the Oliversons’ lawsuit was filed, as stated by Stephen Keener, the executive chief and president of Little League, in a statement.
Easton was left to find solace in the company of Salinas, who observed via FaceTime as Easton unwrapped the parcel.
Salinas expressed, “I was devastated when I learned about his injury. It made his smile in the photo all the more beautiful to see, and his dad and he were very appreciative.”
Recently, Easton, a 13-year-old, commenced his eighth-grade studies. Tank serves as his moniker, and his grandfather, Ray Oliverson, was a football player at Brigham Young University. According to his father, he is a strong and determined youngster who aspires to step back onto the baseball field in the future.
Jace said, “His chance to live was insignificant, we were initially informed because he is still alive, I am just so grateful.” We all feel very appreciative and fortunate for those who have reached out to us.