A 12-year-old boy from New Jersey is critically injured after being struck in the head during warm-up before a baseball game. Xavier Taylor was hospitalized after the incident last Tuesday at Fellowship Columbia Bank Field near Maple Shade, as reported by NBC Philadelphia.
Xavier collapsed on the field after being hit. He was then airlifted to Cooper University Hospital in Camden, New Jersey, according to local police. The Maple Shade Youth Baseball Association expressed its support for Xavier and his family, emphasizing the importance of prayer and faith. “Our primary goal now is to ensure we are there for them, helping in every way possible,” the association stated. They also expressed gratitude for the widespread community and national support, urging continued prayers.
In a video shared on Sunday, Xavier’s father, Greg Taylor, reported his son remains in a critical condition and on a ventilator. “We’re hoping for activity to return day by day,” Greg stated. He recalled that his youngest son brought a pair of shoes to the hospital for Xavier, saying, “These are for Xavier when he comes home, because he’s walking out of here.”
On Thursday evening, teammates and community members gathered for a vigil at the field where the incident occurred. Many attendees wore Xavier’s team number, No. 6. At the vigil, Greg Taylor addressed the crowd, affirming, “My son Xavier loves this game; he will play this game again.”
In the days after the incident, the Maple Shade community showcased its support by lighting up Main Street in blue, Xavier’s team color. The Maple Shade Youth Baseball Facebook page encouraged community members to place baseball bats on their porches. “On Sunday evening, May 31, we ask all baseball players to place a bat on their porch as we rally together for Xavier while he recovers from a freak accident on the baseball field.” Other local teams showed solidarity by posting pictures for Xavier on their Facebook pages.