Posted on 06/04/2011 9:01:58 PM PDT by Hunton Peck
Tragedy struck in Winslow, Ariz. on Wednesday morning when a 13-year-old Little Leaguer died hours after being struck by a pitch in the middle of a game.
According to the Associated Press as well as a variety of Arizona outlets including ABC 15 News, Hayden Walton was struck by a pitch in the chest when he turned to bunt during a game on Tuesday night. The pitch reportedly struck the middle schooler in the chest, directly over his heart. That stopped his heart entirely; a condition medically referred to as commotio cordis, according to ABC 15.
"He took an inside pitch right in the chest," Winslow Little League official Jamey Jones told the AP. "After that he took two steps to first base and collapsed."
Walton was almost immediately transported to the nearest hospital, but he never recovered and was pronounced dead on Wednesday morning. The Winslow Little League suspended all games until Friday as a result and the incident was kept under wraps while those closest with the Walton family grieved for the loss of a young member of the Winslow community. Understandably, the Walton parents -- who also have a young daughter -- have been unwilling to speak to the press because of their shock and grief.
That sense of tragedy has been shared by members of Little League's national branch, where Steve Keener, the president and CEO of Little League Baseball and Softball, released a statement offering up condolences for all those connected with the tragedy.
"Words cannot adequately express our sorrow on the passing of Hayden," Keener told the AP. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to Hayden's family, all the players and volunteers of the Winslow Little League, his classmates, and his friends, at this difficult time.
"The loss of a child is incomprehensible."
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I feel so deeply for those parents, I really do. No one should face outliving one’s children, no one.
I feel bad for the pitcher too. I remember when I was in Little League, I was a big kid at 12 (6’ 170 lbs.) and I could throw hard. I hit a kid with a fast ball in the head and shattered his helmet. Fortunately he got up right away with no apparent injuries and took 1st base. I guess the helmet absorbed all the shock of the pitch. I remember being scared shitless, running towards home plate worrying if he was all right. I don’t think I could of played again if he was permanently hurt or killed.
I’m not certain about commotio cordis, but I think it causes an immediate flatline EKG, which no AED can fix. An AED only “works” if there is a rhythm of some type, usually ventricular fibrillation.
I agree that we can sympathize with the pitcher, as well, in this case. Having known more than one evil pitcher in my lifetime, I can tell you they don't throw at your chest.
“The Lord must’ve needed that little angel in Heaven.”
Your comment is the best.
My 12 year old hit a fantastic bunt yesterday. They make him bunt all the time, this story is awful!!!
Get a chest guard, you’ll feel better. My son is tank when he rolls out onto the field to play peewee football. He has all the optional equipment, other kids have broken ribs. Some of the coaches do it to teach kids to have fun, work together, and to love the game. Then the a-holes come along, and try to recapture their last bits of glory, from high school, with 8 and 9 year olds.
Exactly what I was thinking. He pitches too so the chest guard seems appropriate. He doesnt wear a cup though, did yours???
Cup too. I want grandchildren someday.
:)
Talk to the coach and tell him you are uncomfortable with your son bunting.
They had a better chance of survival with immediate CPR. calling 911 and then an AED, if available.
AEDs are effective only on ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia. Basically, the heart's left ventricle is "fluttering" and not responding to internal electrical impulses. The shock from the AED effectively stops the heart and allows a reset of normal electrical activity.
I'm no cardiologist, just an EMT who has seen a lot of cardiac arrests. "Down time" is critical. Early CPR and advanced life support with AED provides the best chance for a favorable outcome.
Everyone should avail themselves of free, community provided CPR training. /p>
They do make chest protectors now. When my older boys played they were almost like armor, now they are light weight shirts with a honeycomb like protector sewn into the dry fit shirt.
I don’t know why ALL ball parks don’t have de fibs on site with some trained to use them.
Little League engages American boys and their families in literally billions of hours of wholesome activities every year. If not engaged in Little League activities at least some of those boys would be walking on railroad tracks, playing with fireworks, hitchhiking on backroads, riding bicycles in traffic, breaking into buildings, haunting malls and fast food restaurants, and a thousand other worse things.
Horrifying. As a parent of kid in sports, this is my worst nightmare.
FYI, this has only happened twice in the major leagues, and not since the death of Ray Chapman of the Indians in a game against the Yankees at the Polo Grounds in 1920.
He was hit in the head by a pitch thrown by Carl Mays. The ball was very dirty (IIRC Mays was a spitball thrower) and Chapman simply didn’t see it. He died in a hospital the next day.
Good to know. Thanks.
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