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January 19, 2009 E-MAIL PRINT

Jack Baker on the road to recovery

by Jack Piatelli/

Jack Baker is the son of Tom and Christine Baker. He is a very fortunate young man thanks to his parents and friends in the lacrosse community.

The Baker family moved from Minnesota six years ago to start a lacrosse retail store (Imagination Sports in Clinton, Mass.) and promote the game of lacrosse In Central Mass. Tom Baker was an ambassador of the game in Minnesota and thought giving coaching a try in Massachusetts would be a great opportunity. Tom's brother, Jim Baker, also moved to the Bay State with his family.

Both Jim and Tom were involved in the development of youth lacrosse in Central Massachusetts. Both their boys followed their fathers' lead and started to play. Jack Baker, like his dad, is passionate about the game of lacrosse. He fell in love with the game, and the first 10 years of Jack Baker’s lacrosse playing career were relatively injury free.

Jack worked hard last summer to be in the best shape he could be for his upcoming season, putting in countless hours of strength and agility training. He was driven and determined to be in the best shape of his career. He was in such great shape that he impressed not only his teammates but his dad, now an assistant coach at Assumption College in Worcester. Jack Baker is a fun-loving kid with a great smile and a quick wit. He is so full of life. All of this makes the events of Oct. 26 that much harder to imagine.

On that day, while playing attack in a tournament (Elite 180 at Keene State) with his elite lacrosse team (IAS), he was hit trying to turn the corner after beating his man from behind the goal. Jack made a good move to beat his defender and came around the crease for a shot, but just as he did he was sandwiched between the man he beat and a sliding defenseman. The two defensive players hit Jack just below the ribs on the left side, one in front and one from behind. Jack managed to get the shot off but crumpled to the turf in pain.

At first, everyone thought that he was just shaken up, but the pain in his flank continued and became more severe. Getting to his feet, he took himself out of the game — not something his parents were used to seeing. He looked uncomfortable on the bench, and his parents wondered what was hurting him, keeping an eye on him for the rest of the game. With the game coming to an end, he picked up his bag and walked off the field looking pale and very uncomfortable. Thinking it was a rib injury because the pain seemed to be coming from his lower side, his parents and friends gave him an ice pack and drove him home, never suspecting it was a life-threatening injury, one that needed immediate attention. The trip home took a long hour and a half, with his pain increasing and his color diminishing. Jack was sure it was no more than broken ribs and was hesitant when his parents recommended a trip to the ER.

When they arrived home, his parents told Jack they wanted him to go to the hospital for an X-ray just to be safe. By this time he did not resist because the pain was becoming unbearable. Once they got to the ER, the doctors took one look at him and rushed him in for a CAT scan, at first thinking it was his spleen. As they started to piece together what was wrong with Jack, his parents began to get a feeling that something was dreadfully wrong. How could a rib injury get so much attention and cause so much pain. By now, Jack was in some serious pain and the doctors were working fast and looking very concerned.

Once they got the results of his CAT scan the problem became clear. He had ruptured his kidney and was bleeding internally. The doctors first suggested removing the kidney, but after some discussion they decided to give the kidney time and wait and hope for the kidney to stop bleeding on its own.

Jack was moved from the ER to ICU to begin blood transfusions, the first of many units he would receive. His parents were told on Monday that the kidney continued to bleed and a special surgery was required to stop the bleeding. Early Tuesday morning, the doctors realized the first procedure was unsuccessful and Jack’s blood levels were dangerously low. The doctors assured his parents that Jack was handling it (even though this was life-threatening) because he was in such excellent physical condition, but a second procedure was required immediately. Jack’s condition worsen Tuesday afternoon because his lungs were collapsing.

After many anxious hours, Jack’s condition finally improved late Tuesday night and the second surgical procedure was a success. Jack was moved out of ICU on Wednesday morning and much to Jack’s relief, he was able to eat and drink something for the first time since Sunday morning.

As word spread about Jack and his injury, there were many people who would come to his side to help lift his spirits, the necessary ingredient for his recovery. Family and friends, along with the headmaster at his high school (St. John’s) were some of the first to visit Jack. They were all instrumental in giving him strength and lifting his spirits.

The lacrosse coach from his elite team, IAS' Jeff Coulson, was the man of the hour. When Coulson was informed about Jack and his injury, he immediately gave Jack’s parents all his contact information and told them to call anytime night or day, wanting to hear about Jack's progress. While Jack was being worked on in the ICU, Coulson was making phone calls and sending e-mails to rally the lacrosse community to Jack’s side.

Cards, e-mails and letters poured in from players, parents and coaches from all over the United States with well wishes. It was amazing how quick the lacrosse community responded to Jack and how generous they were with gifts and well wishes to help brighten up his days. Packages arrived at his home containing lacrosse equipment, jerseys, and T-shirts, all with get well wishes. Most of the letters and e-mails started with “You don’t know me, but I just wanted you to know we are praying for you.”

Coulson would make the 1½-hour trip from his home in Gill, Mass., to visit Jack once he was out of the ICU, just the medicine Jack needed. His wit would have Jack laughing, helping to brighten up his day. Coulson’s ability to motivate his players to give their all and play their best, no matter the circumstances, is awesome. He is a soft-spoken but very motivating coach who makes sure to accentuate all the positives while touching on any negatives in a good way. The most rewarding aspect of being a coach is the opportunity to have a positive influence on a young athlete's life, and that is Coulson’s gift.

Three months have gone by and Jack is on the mend. Although he will not be able to play with his high school team this season, he is looking forward to a brighter future, hopefully playing lacrosse again for Coulson this summer.

Jack and his parents would like to thank Coulson, Jack’s close friends and family, and the lacrosse community for reaching out to Jack and his family in their time of need. Like the Ohio Wesleyan lacrosse alumni told Jack in their letter to him, he will be part of a fraternity, a fraternity that he will be part of for the rest of his life. The lacrosse fraternity!

Kidney injuries in sports

In the United States, about 30 million children and teens participate in some form of organized sport, and approximately 3 million suffer injuries each year, causing a loss in playing time. Almost one-third of all injuries incurred in young teens are sports-related injuries. By far, the most common injuries are sprains and strains.

Obviously, some sports are more dangerous than others. For example, contact sports such as lacrosse can be expected to result in a higher number of injuries than a non-contact sport such as swimming. However, all types of sports have a potential for injury, whether from the trauma of contact with other players or from overuse or misuse of a body part.

The kidneys are located in the flank (back of the upper abdomen at either side of the spinal column). They are deep within the abdomen and are protected by the spine, lower rib cage and strong muscles of the back.
This location protects the kidneys from many external forces. They are well-padded for a reason — kidneys are highly vascular organs, which means that they have a large blood supply. If injury occurs, severe bleeding may result.

The extent of bleeding depends on the location and the degree of injury. Kidneys may also bleed profusely if they are damaged centrally (on the inside). This is a life-threatening injury. Fortunately, most kidney injuries caused by blunt trauma occur peripherally, only causing bruising of the kidney (usually a self-limiting process).

Always visit the ER or doctor if someone is injured by a blow to the side of the back, in the space between the lower ribs and the top of the pelvic bone. Most bruises and internal tears of the kidney heal by themselves, but big ruptures, or damage to the kidney's blood vessels, can be serious.

Conclusion: Renal trauma is a rare but potentially debilitating injury in the sport of lacrosse, with players at greater risk during games. Most players recover to play, but it may take some time, especially with a kidney laceration. It may be safe for players with only one functioning kidney, but use your common sense and the advice of your doctor. Make sure players wear good protection all over their body. Rib pads are not a required piece of equipment but something I highly recommend.

Thank you Tom and Jack Baker for sharing this story with us at New England Lacrosse Journal. Remember, lacrosse is a game of skill. Please teach and play with skill in mind.