News story

On-Site Defibrillator Called Key in Saving Player

Oct. 1, 2008 – Senior Softball-USA

RALEIGH, N.C. – No one knows that value of team play better than Charlie Williams. For him it was a life-saver.

Williams, age 64, collapsed near second base during the sixth inning while playing in the Eastern National Championships for the Mike Pruit Auto team in a game against Ca$h 4 College.

In what has been described as a “perfect storm” of sorts Williams received immediate critical medical assistance from several people all of whom performed admirably under difficult conditions.

Bobby Koeller of the Dayton Legends was at Willams’ side almost immediately, rendering first response treatment, quickly assisted by George Mitchen of Mike Pruitt Auto and Jane Kortz of Doc Martens.

Senior Softball USA officials Fran Dowell and Michael Boone provided the SSUSA's on-site AED (Automated External Defibrillator) within a matter of moments while Dave Dowell (SSUSA) joined in the effort.

This has been called an exceptional "team" performance by all of these individuals during the approximate 11 minutes that elasped from the time Williams was stricken until the Wake County Paramedics arrived on scene.

When they arrived, Williams had resumed breathing and had a pulse again. The AED, which is on-site at all SSUSA administered tournament sites, was the key to success.

In a letter to SSUSA, Williams’ wife Mary wished to thank everyone for “saving my husband when he suffered a cardiac arrest on the ball field in Raleigh.”

She says that “the doctor in ICU told him he was a miracle. Our doctor in Canton, Ohio, told him only 2 to 3 percent survive following a cardiac arrest.”

She says that her husband’s doctors inserted a pacemaker so that he “has his own little paramedic with him at all times.”

While he is through playing softball for the year, Mrs. Williams says her husband is “already planning for next year.”