Kansas Boy, 9, Critically Injured After Hit in Head at Baseball Game

A 9-year-old batboy from Kansas is in critical condition after being accidentally struck by a warmup swing.

The Liberal Bee Jays from Liberal, Kansas, were playing in a National Baseball Congree World Series game.

Early Monday morning, the National Baseball Congress World Series released this statement.

A young bat boy has passed away following a tragic on-field accident. Kaiser Carlile, 9, was a well-loved part of the Liberal Bee Jays, a summer league team for college players.

On Sunday, they said the boy remained in intensive care, but was “hanging in there”.

Carlile, described as a Bee Jays superfan, had been with the team throughout the summer as its only bat boy.

The team said umpire Mark Goldfeder immediately responded after the accident and tended to Kaiser until EMS crews arrived.

The team took a moment to gather in a circle and pray as an ambulance took Kaiser to a hospital. Carlile was wearing a helmet.

The incident happened during a game between amateur baseball team the Liberal Bee Jays and the San Diego Waves, NBC News reported. Witnesses say the hit knocked the boy to the ground, but he initially stood up before falling to the ground again.

McCaffrey was at Saturday’s game and heard the sound of the bat hitting Carlile’s helmet.

“Thank you everyone for all your kind words, thoughts and prayers!”

There was also an outpouring of support for Kaiser on social media. The last update received described his condition as critical. No matter what team these fans were cheering for, Schmith says it broke everyone’s heart.

McCaffrey said: ‘We appreciate everyone’s love, support, thoughts and prayers during this time.