The wife of a softball player is seeking answers and accountability from the town of Smithtown following the head trauma her husband sustained in a softball game. According to the claim, both bases had been insufficiently secured.

According to court documents, the woman is seeking immediate access for testing and examination of the base at Flynn Memorial Park in Commack. According to a local newspaper, a video that was submitted as part of the petition shows plenty of discussion about the “safety base” at first base following the incident.

One player can be seen picking up one of the two bases at first, appearing to demonstrate to the umpire its instability or loose placement. Questions have also been raised about the firmness of the base.

The incident

Her husband had hit a ground ball toward third base and runs towards first base. To catch the incoming ball from his colleague at third base, the first baseman lunges off the bag, while reaching to tag the player, who ducks away from the glove coming toward his head. In doing so, he slightly alters his gait and his foot lands between the two bases at first.

The next minute, his ankle turns and his leg gives out, making him crash to the ground, where he strikes the synthetic turf base head first.

Now, more than two months later, he remains unable to talk or walk independently. Later this month, he is scheduled for another brain surgery to reconstruct his skull following the emergency craniotomy that saved his life.

Safety method?

The two-base safety method, commonly used in recreational and slow-pitch softball leagues, places a second base — typically orange — next to the traditional white first base to separate runners and fielders during close plays.

The practice was developed to reduce collisions and injuries at first base, a frequent danger spot, where runners sprinting through the bag and fielders stretching for throws often converge. It works best when both squares are properly anchored to the ground.