13-year-old dies after being hit by pitch
Share This Story
A 13-year-old Arizona boy was killed in a freak accident after a baseball hit him over the heart as he tried to bunt, officials in his Little League said Friday.
Hayden Walton went for the bunt during a game Tuesday night in the close-knit northern Arizona city of Winslow, said Jamey Jones, a Winslow Little League official.
"He took an inside pitch right in the chest," Jones said. "After that he took two steps to first base and collapsed."
He died the next morning at a local hospital.
The boy's parents, who were at the game, are heartbroken, shocked and unable to speak to members of the media, league president and family spokesman Dale Thomas said.
"It's a hard thing to handle for everyone," Thomas said. "When you're touched by something of this magnitude, it sends shock waves throughout the community."
Thomas said he grew up around the boy's family and described Hayden as "the epitome of what every little boy ought to be." Besides participating in Little League, Hayden was a Boy Scout, loved to work on cars and helped neighborhood widows by mowing their lawns and doing odd jobs for them, Thomas said.
He said Hayden had a younger sister.
The league suspended games until Friday and has counselors available for players or parents who need them.
Stephen Keener, president and CEO of Little League Baseball and Softball, said in a statement that "the loss of a child is incomprehensible."
"Words cannot adequately express our sorrow on the passing of Hayden," he said. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to Hayden's family, all the players and volunteers of the Winslow Little League, his classmates, and his friends, at this difficult time."
Related Stories
Trending Now
-
Report: UFC Octagon vixen arrested
Report: UFC Octagon vixen Arianny Celeste arrested. -
Report: Vick event sparks backlash
A seemingly innocuous visit from Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick caused ... -
Franchitti wins Indy 500
Review all the details from this year's big race. -
Dario Franchitti wins 2012 Indy 500
Dario Franchitti holds off late charge, wins third Indy 500. -
No way Celtics can hang with Heat
Celtics advance to East finals, but Heat have nothing to worry about.
MLB Videos
Dodgers drop Astros
Posted: May 27, 2012
Matt Treanor talks with Prime Ticket about Chris Capuano's performance leading t...
Matt Treanor talks with Prime Ticket about Chris Capuano's performance leading t...
Rays rock Red Sox
Posted: May 27, 2012
Sean Rodriguez talks after his game-winning HR in the Rays' 4-3 win in Boston.
Sean Rodriguez talks after his game-winning HR in the Rays' 4-3 win in Boston.
Tigers top Twins
Posted: May 27, 2012
Miguel Cabrera talks with FOX Sports Detroit after the Tigers' 4-3 win over the ...
Miguel Cabrera talks with FOX Sports Detroit after the Tigers' 4-3 win over the ...
MLB Headlines
More Than Sports on MSN
Fox Sports Store
| itemName | itemURL | imageSrc | price | itemDescription |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nike Chicago Cubs Tackle Twill Hoodie Sweatshirt - Royal Blue | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Chicago_Cubs/browse/featuredproduct/250780/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_250000/FF_250780_xl.jpg&w=100 | 49.95 | Nike Chicago Cubs Tackle Twill Hoodie Sweatshirt - Royal Blue |
| Nike Boston Red Sox Ladies Red Local T-shirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Boston_Red_Sox/browse/featuredproduct/605356/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_605000/ff_605356_xl.jpg&w=100 | 19.95 | Nike Boston Red Sox Ladies Red Local T-shirt |
| New Era New York Yankees Youth Navy Blue Tie Breaker 39THIRTY Stretch Fit Hat | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_New_York_Yankees/browse/featuredproduct/605557/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_605000/ff_605557_xl.jpg&w=100 | 16.95 | New Era New York Yankees Youth Navy Blue Tie Breaker 39THIRTY Stretch Fit Hat |
| Nike Oakland Athletics Green MLB Practice T-shirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Oakland_Athletics/browse/featuredproduct/606322/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_606000/ff_606322_xl.jpg&w=100 | 27.95 | Nike Oakland Athletics Green MLB Practice T-shirt |
| Philadelphia Phillies Mascot Pillow Pet | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Philadelphia_Phillies/browse/featuredproduct/626447/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_626000/ff_626447_xl.jpg&w=100 | 29.95 | Philadelphia Phillies Mascot Pillow Pet |
| New Era Colorado Rockies Black-Purple Stoked Snapback Hat | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Colorado_Rockies/browse/featuredproduct/644117/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_644000/ff_644117_xl.jpg&w=100 | 28.95 | New Era Colorado Rockies Black-Purple Stoked Snapback Hat |
| Texas Rangers Manager Stainless Steel Watch | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Texas_Rangers/browse/featuredproduct/722692/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_722000/ff_722692_xl.jpg&w=100 | 69.95 | Texas Rangers Manager Stainless Steel Watch |
| Majestic Justin Verlander Detroit Tigers #35 Youth Navy Blue Player Pullover Hoodie Sweatshirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Detroit_Tigers/browse/featuredproduct/723016/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_723000/ff_723016_xl.jpg&w=100 | 39.95 | Majestic Justin Verlander Detroit Tigers #35 Youth Navy Blue Player Pullover Hoo.. |
| Majestic Albert Pujols Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Replica Jersey - White | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Los_Angeles_Angels_of_Anaheim/browse/featuredproduct/777026/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_777000/ff_777026_xl.jpg&w=100 | 99.95 | Majestic Albert Pujols Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Replica Jersey - White |