Father of 12-Year-Old Critically Injured After Being Struck in the Neck with Baseball Gives Update on His Condition
After Xavier was struck, he collapsed on the field. He was airlifted to Cooper University Hospital in Camden, N.J., NBC News reports.
His father, Greg Taylor, told the outlet on Sunday, May 31, that Xavier is still in “very critical condition” and on a ventilator. “We’re pushing day by day to hope that the activity comes back,” Greg said.
Greg shared that his youngest son brought a pair of shoes to the hospital the first day Xavier arrived, telling his parents, “ ‘These are for Xavier when he comes home, because he’s walking out of here,’ ” Greg said.
Xavier’s baseball league, the Maple Shade Youth Baseball ᴀssociation, has been raising awareness about Xavier’s condition, sharing the local community’s supportive messages on Facebook. The league also promoted “Bats Out for X,” asking the community to put bats on their porches in Xavier’s honor on Sunday, May 31.
“Our primary goal now is to ensure we are there for them in prayer and faith, helping them every way we can,” the outlet told NBC News. “We deeply appreciate the support shown by the community and those around the country; please keep all prayers coming.”
Days before, a vigil was held for Xavier at the field where he was injured. There, his father shared how much he loves baseball, “He will play this game again.”
