Kiski student hit by baseball sues school district

A Kiski Area High School junior is contending that head injuries he suffered while pitching batting practice to a teammate more than a year ago resulted from negligent actions by the school district.

Amy L. Ribar of Washington Township filed a lawsuit last week against the district on behalf of her son, who was 15 when he was hit in the head with a baseball on Feb. 16, 2011.

According to the civil action, although Vincent Ribar was positioned behind a net, he was too close to the hitter when a batted ball struck him in the head.

Vincent was not instructed to wear a batting helmet for protection, according to the lawsuit.

In addition, the Ribars contend in the suit that the hitter used a special bat, which has since been deemed dangerous and is now barred from use by the school district.

“Vincent was asked to pitch to at least one student who was using a composite barreled Easton Stealth baseball bat — an example of a type of bat known to produce batted baseball velocities so dangerously in excess of other bats that they have been banned from use in high school competition,” according to the lawsuit.

As a result of the incident, Vincent sustained neurological and psychological injuries, extreme emotional distress and mental anguish, the lawsuit said.

The Ribars are seeking an unspecified amount in damages from the district.

Ribar family attorney Phillip R. Earnest said on Monday that his client is still recovering from his injuries.

“He has expressed an interest in playing again. We are hopeful he will be able to play next year,” Earnest said.

Scott Koter, assistant to Kiski Area Superintendent Dr. John Meighan, said he had not seen the lawsuit and could not comment on its allegations.

Rich Cholodofsky is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 724-830-6293 or rcholodofsky@tribweb.com.