12-year-old boy in critical condition after baseball strikes head during warmups

U.S. news12-year-old New Jersey boy in critical condition after baseball strikes head in pre-game warmups Community members have shown their support for Xavier Taylor in the days since his hospitalization.Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00ShareAdd NBC News to GoogleJune 1, 2026, 4:13 PM EDTBy Francie EbertA 12-year-old New Jersey boy is in critical condition after being struck in the head during warm-ups before a baseball game last week.Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.Xavier Taylor was hospitalized following the incident on Tuesday night at Fellowship Columbia Bank Field near Maple Shade, New Jersey, NBC Philadelphia reported. After being hit in the head with the ball and collapsing on the field, Xavier was airlifted to Cooper University Hospital in Camden, New Jersey, police told NBC Philadelphia.The Maple Shade Youth Baseball Association said in a statement to NBC News on Monday that their focus is supporting Xavier and his family.“Our primary goal now is to ensure we are there for them in prayer and faith, helping them every way we can,” the statement said. “We deeply appreciate the support shown by the community and those around the country; please keep all prayers coming.”Xavier Taylor.Courtesy family via WCAUIn video posted Sunday, Xavier’s father, Greg Taylor, told NBC Philadelphia that his son is still in “very critical condition” and on a ventilator. “We’re pushing day by day to hope that the activity comes back,” Greg Taylor said.“Our youngest son brought a pair of shoes for him the first day we got here and said these are for Xavier when he comes home, because he’s walking out of here,” he said.On Thursday night, teammates and members of the community gathered for a vigil at the same field where the incident occurred. Some attendees wore his team number, 6.At the vigil, Greg Taylor told the crowd: “My son Xavier loves this game; he will play this game again.”In the days...