Injuries and miscellaneous penalties

[MisterA]

This came to mind after watching some dvds from about a decade ago. I remember an incidence during quarterfinals of 2000, where a young girl with Blue Devils injured herself during the split leaps in the ballad. She went to the front area and was just sitting there in pain. And I could be incorrect, but I believe it was Gibbs who went and escorted her off the field so she could receive medical attention. At that point, the Blue Devils then received a 1/10 point penalty. Personally I think Gibbs did the commendable thing to care about the well being of a member more than a score.

However, I remember an incident where in 1999 during the Cadets Big Apple show, there was a huge wind in Madison, and the extremely large tarps that the Cadets used were blowing up. At that time, about 15-20 staff/volunteers from Cadets went onto the field, and held the tarps down during the show. And they did NOT receive a penalty.

So in both instances, a non performing member entered the field, and in Cadets case several unauthorized people. I know there have been penalties awarded in the past if a member for example fell and broke their nose, they were not allowed to leave the field until the show was over. As a band director, and former staff member/volunteer for several corps, I really think this rule was ridiculous.

This reminds me of 2 incidents that have happened at our high school in the last few years. In one incident, a member of the cast of the play Our Town, passed out while standing on bleachers in the cemetary scene. Now our director, who is a wonderful man, literally sprinted around to backstage, and went onstage to check on the member. Now on the other situation, the high school was having a concert, and one of the girls passed out while singing. The girl next to her went to lean down to make sure she was ok, and the director literally motioned the other girl to not even lean down to check on her. I thought this was absolutely untolerable. He had no idea what happened to this young woman, and cared more about finishing the song, than to check on her. She could have had a heart attack, with every second without care threatening her life. Thank God it turned out to only be the flu and dehydration, but the director didn't even bother to check right away. Needless to say, the family members, school board, other teaches, did not favor this, and luckily that director left shortly after for another school. I truly hope no one there has a medical issue that needs attention.

I guess my point is, where is the concern for the young members involved. I understand they are usually fairly fit, but every once in awhile you read about a student athlete, high school or college, that ends up very ill, or dying from something. I am not sure if the penalty still is given if a member is required to leave the field for something medical, but in my opinion, this would be one rule that should be changed, immediately, without any question or hesitation.

[Gator Eagle]

The show must go on...

[CasualFan]

In 2007, a Colts member fell during the show in Sevierville and was helped off the field by a staff member. They did not receive a penalty according to the recaps. Incidentally, when was the last time a DCI corps received a penalty?

[Galen]

In 2007, a Colts member fell during the show in Sevierville and was helped off the field by a staff member. They did not receive a penalty according to the recaps. Incidentally, when was the last time a DCI corps received a penalty?

Officially- couldn't say for sure.

Unofficially, I think we all know when.

[BlooContraGuy]

In 2007, a Colts member fell during the show in Sevierville and was helped off the field by a staff member. They did not receive a penalty according to the recaps. Incidentally, when was the last time a DCI corps received a penalty?

Cadets 2007... for a few minutes.

[whitedawn]

However, I remember an incident where in 1999 during the Cadets Big Apple show, there was a huge wind in Madison, and the extremely large tarps that the Cadets used were blowing up. At that time, about 15-20 staff/volunteers from Cadets went onto the field, and held the tarps down during the show. And they did NOT receive a penalty.

So in both instances, a non performing member entered the field, and in Cadets case several unauthorized people. I know there have been penalties awarded in the past if a member for example fell and broke their nose, they were not allowed to leave the field until the show was over. As a band director, and former staff member/volunteer for several corps, I really think this rule was ridiculous.

1 - it wasn't "15-20". it was 5.

2 - the answer is simple: the cadets asked for permission. all penalties are given at the discretion of the contest coordinator.

[Silver_King]

in 2008 a guard member got hit in the face and their nose was bleeding they just went to the sideline and sat behind the timpanist

[JGuy1288]

Last year at the Normal, Illinois show I saw a Crown hornline member walk right off the field and straight to a paramedic. She immediately got some kind of medical attention. Before she jumped out of the drill she seemed to be doing fine, so I don't know what the problem was, but I'm pretty sure that barely anyone noticed her exit, since her drill spot was on the front sideline at the time.

[CitBos]

I remember in 2005 one of our color guard members got hit in the head by a saber (I think) and came off the field right away, while being helped by some staff, during a show.

Also, I know when my older sister marched during the '90s, there was a member of the pit who had a pace-maker for his heart, and the instructor always got into an argument with the show organizer (whoever it was) saying that if the kid had to come off of the field because of his heart, the instructor was going to take him off.