First Wii-related injury reported

We're not really sure that there's much more to say about the Wiimote that we (har) haven't said before, other than it can cause damage to anything valuable in your gaming arena, such as your television, window, beer glass, or PDA -- did we miss anything? Well, let's record little Jacob here as the very first Wii-related injury into the record books. According to the account provided on Wii Damage, a new site devoted to all things getting busted due to the faulty Wiimote strap, Jacob was among a trio of kids in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina settling down to a nice, pleasant game of Wii Baseball over Thanksgiving weekend. Jacob's cousin Abby was settling into the batter's box, and as the pitch came down she gave it a Bondsian swing, sending the Wiimote flying straight at her cousin, who was standing nearby -- sustaining a pretty good-lookin' welt to the face. Now if you'll excuse us, we need to go find our high school football helmet so we can get our Wii on safely.

[Ross @ Dec 9th 2006 1:41PM]

The second post I've seen making fun of a 10 year old kid. I'm dumbfounded.

[Ayle @ Dec 9th 2006 4:06PM]

And the wiimote marks on in face proves it, if he had been hit by a flying wiimote would have been smaller...

[ian spain @ Dec 9th 2006 12:38PM]

hahah yeah...like anyone who writes for engadget played football in high school.

[Jeb E. @ Dec 10th 2006 9:22PM]

Who cares that this kid got hurt? I am sorry to say that, but he was probably the kid that wend down on the floor laughing, not crying, it doesn't even look like it hurt that bad. It probably would hut more if my cat scratched me, which it did yesterday straight on my nose, and it was dripping blood until I fixed it. But, whatever. The kid that the controller came off their hand should have been holding the remote better, and if he/she didn't have the strap on, it's their fault. Littler kids need to be more careful with things like that. I am the only kid I know that has only dropped their cell phone a few times in one year, and hasn't got their game system covered with scratches. I am very careful about stuff like that. Also, it seems to me that the news crew, or whoever took the picture of the boy, made him look sad, to get more attention to the public about stupid, careless things. Or, the kid just looked sad for no reason just because he is mad at his cousin for hurting him.

[emma @ Jan 29th 2008 11:30AM]

hey you should care about poor kids who just are having fun trying to play games and you go and make fun of him! your the idiots for making fun of people like that! You make it seem like your so cool and that would never happen to you! Then why do you have enough time to read stupid blogs about little kids! HUH? Yeah I no I make a lot of sense! You should be ashamed!retard!

[jrepetti @ Dec 9th 2006 12:40PM]

Was his cuz using the lanyard? I think I see the outline of the Wiimote on his face.

[kinger @ Dec 10th 2006 3:01PM]

it doesnt matter if the lanyard was used or not, you are supposed to hold onto the wiimote at all times. If one does hold on, they will not be letting go (logicaly). and if one does not let go, short of beating someone with it, no injuries will occur.

[Jonathan Allen @ Dec 9th 2006 12:42PM]

lesson = don't throw your wii remote.

This also applies to any other electric device.

[Andy @ Dec 9th 2006 2:59PM]

Do you have to move your electronic gadgets to make them work? NO. So what you said is totally irrelevant.

[Joey @ Dec 10th 2006 5:40PM]

The wiimote was not thrown and the strap did not break, it was still in my cousin's hand when he got hit, she just had more of a followthrough than anyone expected

[radek @ Dec 9th 2006 12:44PM]

Get a life, people! Who cares about these sort of things? This Wiimote damage/injury reporting is so ridiculus.

[slammin scotty @ Dec 9th 2006 12:47PM]

I am sorry to report you are wrong with your reporting. My buddy Dave had to be the first idoit hurt using the Wii. On release day we where playing bowling and on Daves turn he swung so high and hard he smashed the ceiling fan. Glass went everywhere and he fell in a heap of pain. When is was all said and done he finished his frame and went to the hospital. He had 12 stiches in his index finger and broke the tip if his middle finger. By the way, Dave is 33! It was really funny. Cheers,Scott

[Jay @ Dec 9th 2006 12:49PM]

I kinda agree with radek, i don't really care about these sorts of things. Anyway, rather a Wiimote then a baseball bat, because if that butterfingers girl hadda let go of that, I'm sure it'd be a lot worse then a little red mark on that chubbys face.

[chbob @ Dec 9th 2006 12:50PM]

Whats the deal with calling the wiimote strap faulty? I think it's ignorant to believe they should have made the strap out of carbon steel so the dumbass' can swing it around on the end of a 50' rope.

[Ben @ Dec 9th 2006 12:56PM]

BEST. STORY. EVER!

[Andrew Swanson @ Dec 9th 2006 12:57PM]

scotty - this is the first reported incident, so their reporting is fine.

these fools should be required to turn in their Wii's and be placed in a padded room.

Or at least go see a dermatologist about their overly-sweaty hands.

[diabesis @ Dec 9th 2006 3:50PM]

No, actually Scotty's story was reported on before this. In fact, it was reported on November 24.

http://www.wiihaveaproblem.com/show_article.php?id=4

[HD @ Dec 9th 2006 1:01PM]

Kids let go of the baseball bat all the time in baseball when they swing. It's no surprise with the wiimote even if there is a strap. Not everyone have sticky hand so don't assume everyone can hold on to a wiimote even with the strap.

[Chris @ Dec 9th 2006 1:09PM]

Hey Tubby & Friends,

Follow Instructions = No Problems

Who wants to go outside and play some yard darts?

[jonnyo @ Dec 9th 2006 1:10PM]

This reminds me of when I played golf this summer with a guy who had never held a club before - it went flying and I had to duck out of the way! Maybe the next time I take him out on the course I'll rig up a set of clubs with a titanium strap!

[Matt @ Dec 9th 2006 1:15PM]

I want an official Nintendo Wii, motion sensing, video game system!
No, you'll shoot your eye out.

[DarkFader @ Dec 9th 2006 1:43PM]

it's like people don't want the Wii to be successful

[kingslook @ Dec 9th 2006 1:45PM]

The point is that video gaming should not include games requiring exaggerated obnoxious behaviors with potentially harmful projectiles. Like it or not Wii fanboys, a couple more of these reported little dudes getting hurt this way and some consumer protection group will place this console on the "too dangerous for kiddies list". The very target group that Nintendo's been catering to. They should have predicted this, and taken more steps to prevent it.

[Sam @ Dec 9th 2006 3:06PM]

Yes, exactly the group they're shooting for...thats why I see all of those commercials of middle-aged businessmen playing the Wii when he returns home from work. The Wii is a system that caters to all. Look, if a kid can't hold on to the wiimote...don't get him or her a wii! problem solved.

[John Doe @ Dec 10th 2006 3:32PM]

Hey moron. You don't own a Wii right? So you wouldn't know that you don't need exaggerated motions to use the controller. None of the games on the Wii require anything other then a flick of the rist or a quick swipe back and forth. Hell you can even doing it sitting on the couch for the fat asses out there.
Don't talk shit about what you don't know. Gah..talk about fanbois.

[Stoked x 10 @ Dec 9th 2006 1:47PM]

wii'd ftw

[Blacknimbus @ Dec 9th 2006 1:52PM]

I still have a scar on the top of my head because my cousin thought metal Matchbox planes could fly.

That's technically not true, no matter how high up you throw them. And the wings are very, very sharp.

[CT @ Dec 9th 2006 1:53PM]

Now I'll never be a teen model!

[mitch @ Dec 9th 2006 1:55PM]

Why the hell are people commenting on the kids weight? Jeez, he's just a kid. Give him a break. Like half the people here on Engadget aren't packing a few extra pounds themselves.

[Semi @ Dec 9th 2006 2:00PM]

its harry potter...

[mrsalty @ Dec 9th 2006 2:13PM]

Everyone has to learn to use these weapons outside on an official licensed wii playing field. We must stop the violence are these things will be banned like lawn darts.

[LittleJoe @ Dec 9th 2006 2:38PM]

pwn3d

gahahahahahahahahahah

kids gotta learn somehow

[Smrk @ Dec 9th 2006 2:46PM]

I think it all has something to do with having to let go of the "B" button at the end of a swing/hit or whatever is in the game. Your thumb is the only thing on the top of the remote. Might not make sense but it's the only logical explanation i can think of...

[moto @ Dec 9th 2006 2:50PM]

Oh well I think the outlined Wii controller adds to his general look.

I hope for him it stays this way.

[pgl @ Dec 9th 2006 2:52PM]

Make all the straps use piano wire instead so that can teach the kids (and adults) not to let go of the remote while doing 70mph pitches.

[Reg @ Dec 9th 2006 2:53PM]

Darwin Awards were created for these types of people.



...And by the way, that kid's not fat, he's big-boned.

[Alden Ackerman @ Dec 9th 2006 2:56PM]

Thats complete BS. I was hit in the head two weekends ago during a Wii Tennis match while I was sitting down. The basterd bashed my head in with his swing and I feel to the ground.

[Matt @ Dec 9th 2006 2:59PM]

Another senseless Wii incident.

I am convinced video game players are retarded.

[Joey @ Dec 10th 2006 5:40PM]

it was a kid, not a retard, unless you want to call your self a retard as a kid

[Hernan Paredes @ Dec 9th 2006 3:02PM]

lmao, looks well deserved.

[Alex @ Dec 9th 2006 3:25PM]

I really dont see what the problem is. My friends and I have been playing my wii drunk since I got it and not one remote has gone flying.

[DM @ Dec 9th 2006 3:29PM]

I can't wait for the Wiimote related murder.

[Jason @ Dec 9th 2006 3:34PM]

This is absurd. I mean, there are risks in almost anything we do. Who actually beleives this is company negligence. It's absurd. Would you sue Louisville if you got hit with a ball that was hit off that bat. Would you a computer manufacturer if you got carpal tunnel. The bottom line is that I hope this child is OK, has a wonderful, happy and healthy life, but I mean come on. This is all abou the success Nintendo has had. It's like Borat, people want a piece of the action

Ashame this is what make the US such a litigous country. If we keep it up, no one will want to invent, sell, or discover anything.

[Ed T @ Dec 9th 2006 3:40PM]

Yes, he's the Poster Child for video games, Male, pudgy, lives with a single mom and sees his father twice a year. Twenty minutes of bright sunshine would probably kill him.

[Tim @ Dec 9th 2006 3:41PM]

I have to take exception to calling the strap "faulty" because on a whole, it's not. Is it a little thin? For people who can't control themselves, maybe, which is why Nintendo is already beefing them up, but hardly faulty. I've literally had dozens of people try out my Wii (or in the very least use the controller) and not once did someone actually need the wrist strap because the remote flew out of their hands. If some people would just calm the hell down, this wouldn't be an issue. And if they're kids? Then yeah, maybe adult supervision is required for games again. Shocking concept I know, but video games and TV sometimes need parents around.

[Ceiciel @ Dec 9th 2006 3:49PM]

I know of a previous Wii-injury.

A bunch of friends were gathered for some wii sports. One guy was ready to make a wicked bowl, and another wanted to see, so he moves to a different spot, but as he does, the bowler winds up to roll the ball, and smashes the wiimote upside the other guy's face. All kinds of blood. It was sweet.

[MaX PL @ Dec 9th 2006 3:49PM]

i feel bad for this kid.

look at how sad he looks.

[master @ Dec 9th 2006 3:52PM]

This is totally dumb!
Even First-Aids kit can kill people. It's just how to use it in proper way.

[mannymix03 @ Dec 9th 2006 3:59PM]

You cant blame the wii for this, just blame the people using it. You could cut yourselves with a knife so we shouldnt use knives now??

I cut myself with a matchbox car when i was 8, should we never use matchbox cars?

If you arent wearing the wrist strap, which im pretty sure they weren't because it didnt say that the strap broke.

[GJP303 @ Dec 9th 2006 6:38PM]

Without wearing a wrist strap, thats considered reckless playing. In that case you deserve to have your electronics near it broken (or child for that matter)