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In a tragic accident that has left a Kansas community in mourning, a bat boy hit in the head by a player taking practice swings Saturday has died of his injuries. Kaiser Carlile, 9, was a well-loved part of the Liberal Bee Jays, a summer league team for college players.

Photos of Carlile show him as a freckle-faced boy: hustling around the field, sitting in the dugout and talking with the players. But during his team's National Baseball Congress World Series game Saturday in Wichita, he was hit in the head by a bat as he ran past the on-deck circle after an out.


Carlile was wearing a helmet, witnesses say, when he was struck while retrieving a bat. The boy quickly received medical attention — from both the home plate umpire, who reportedly works as a paramedic, and from a team of EMTs who were already responding to another call at the stadium, according to 

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The severe injury left Carlile in critical condition at a local hospital, and last night, his team posted this update to 

The amateur team, which has been a fixture in the town of Liberal, Kan., for decades, had been using its Facebook page and Twitter feed to update fans on Carlile's condition, and to request help for his family's medical bills.

Carlile's injury quickly sparked shows of support, from a rival team's bat boy wearing a Bee Jay's jersey to the team's current and former players sending their respects.


One of them is pitcher Kadon Simmons, who 

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During his team's game Saturday, Kaiser Carlile was hit in the head by a bat as he ran past the on-deck circle. The tragic accident has left a Kansas community in mourning.

Bat boy, 9, dies after being struck in baseball game

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