Trending
Little League International President and CEO Steve Keener addressed injured Little League World Series player Easton Oliverson's recovery and the family's lawsuit against the organization with a news release Thursday evening.
"I want to express, on behalf of the entire Little League International organization, how truly heartened we are that Easton Oliverson recently returned home, as he continues to recover with his family in Utah," Keener said in the news release.
Oliverson was injured when he fell from a bunk bed at the Little League World Series complex in South Williamsport on Aug. 15. He was flown by medical helicopter to Geisinger's Janet Weis Children's Hospital in Danville, where he had two surgeries. He has since returned to his home state of Utah.
"We care a great deal about this young boy and his family, and from the first moment when I visited with his father in the hospital, I shared my prayers for his recovery and continue to encourage everyone to keep Easton in their prayers, as well," Keener said, according to the news release. "I remain devastated and heartbroken by what he has gone through and we, as an organization, will continue to work to ensure that the safety and wellbeing of all our players remains at the forefront of our priorities. ... At its core, Little League is a family and community organization, and we think of every player as our own. And despite the ongoing litigation, I, along with our Little League family across the world, will continue to support Easton, his family, and his community in any way we can."
The Oliverson family filed a lawsuit against Little League Baseball and the manufacturer of the bunk bed in September. A statement from the manufacturer soon after the lawsuit was filed said the company places warnings on all bunk beds recommending the use of railings, which the bunk bed at the Little League World Series complex did not have.