Greece, N.Y. - The death of a 12-year-old lacrosse player has shocked the entire lacrosse community in Rochester.
Brighton student Tyler Kopp, who was struck in the chest by a ball Thursday night during a lacrosse game, died from his injuries Tuesday morning at Strong Memorial Hospital.
In response, some area coaches have encouraged parents to purchase heart or chest guards for their young athletes.
Kris Murante's seven-year-old son plays lacrosse for the Greece Hurricanes and he just ordered a heart guard through Locker Room Sports in Greece.
"Our organization sent out an email to parents saying this is where you can go to find [heart guards]," he says. "The coach highly recommended everyone get one and he was very emphatic about that."
The guards are meant to be worn by children during baseball, but lacrosse parents say any little thing helps.
"The ball is moving pretty hard and the older the kids get the bigger and better the equipment," Murante says. "What scares me about their age group being seven, the ball isn't moving as hard, but the equipment isn't as sturdy."
Since Monday, Locker Room Sports says they've had several dozen calls and inquiries about the heart guards.
"People are taking more precautions," says employee Josh Opladen. "We've had phone calls [it's been] ringing off the hook, and people are ordering them."
When launched by an adult, a lacrosse ball can travel at speeds over 100 miles per hour. Even a child can throw the ball at 50 miles per hour.
Despite possible injuries, chest protection in lacrosse is not required. Locker Room Sports says there is not a chest guard that's specifically made for lacrosse.
The National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment has approved and certified several pieces of safety equipment, but none of the chest guards currently on the market is approved for lacrosse.
Until the the day comes when a lacrosse-specific chest guard is made, parents like Murante say the ones made for baseball will have to do. "I'd rather have my kid have an extra piece of protective gear on--and have him around," Murante said.
