Boy, 12, left fighting for his life in hospital after freak baseball accident

A 12-year-old boy from New Jersey is fighting for his life in hospital after being accidentally struck in the neck with a baseball on Tuesday.

According to New York outlet ABC7, Xavier Taylor is in critical condition following the freak accident in South Jersey, where he was warming up ahead of a game for Maple Shade Youth Baseball.

After being hit by an errant throw, Taylor was reportedly airlifted to Cooper University Hospital, where he remains in the intensive care unit.

‘My son Xavier loves this game. He will play this game again,’ his father, Greg Taylor, is said to have told the crowd at Fellowship Columbia Bank Field.

Hundreds of friends, neighbors and teammates gathered for a prayer vigil filled with music, candles and messages of hope at the field where the incident occurred on Thursday night, with many of them wearing shirts with his No 6 jersey number on.

‘Tonight, we are here to lift him up in prayer, strength and hope and love,’ one speaker is quoted as saying. 

The boy’s father, Greg, shared an emotion post on social media about the family’s support

‘Baseball teaches us about teamwork, showing up for one another and never giving up, and tonight, that’s exactly what we’re doing for Xavier.’

Supporters also organized a meal train for the family and raised over $60,000 to help them, the report added.

‘I could not have asked or ever dreamt of support like this right now, but our end goal is for our son to be back on this field or whatever field is next destined for him,’ Greg Taylor said.

Greg also added in a post on Facebook, which included several photos of Xavier: ‘There can be no words our family has of the outpouring of love, visitors, support, donations, thoughts, and prayers to our family over the last few days.

‘We believe and come into agreement that miracles do exist and a miracle will happen for our Xavier.’