Secondary netting may have prevented serious injury to Grapevine HS baseball player

Grapevine High School’s junior baseball player, who was severely injured yesterday after being struck by a baseball in the back of the head while in the school’s batting cage, remains in serious condition at Parkland Hospital. The student underwent surgery last night, but no other details are being released. The family has requested privacy during this difficult time, and District officials are respecting those wishes. Support is being rendered to the family by staff, friends and teammates of the athlete.

A crisis counseling team is in place at the school to assist students and staff who need assistance in coping with the accident. The team will remain for as long as needed, officials have said. GHS Principal Jerry Hollingsworth informed students of their classmate’s injury during the school’s morning announcements and honored the family with a moment of silence.

In addition, District officials are investigating the cause of the accident. Preliminary findings indicate that secondary protective screen netting was not in place. As a safety precaution, all batting cages at the baseball fields at Grapevine High School and Colleyville Heritage High School, as well as the softball fields at Cross Timbers Middle School, are being inspected today before being used by athletes. Further, all baseball and softball safety procedures will be reviewed. Teams at both high schools will play games as scheduled, although last night’s baseball games scheduled for GHS teams were cancelled.

The athlete, who is a pitcher and an outfielder on the varsity team, was pitching to a teammate in one of the school’s four batting cages. He was behind the pitcher’s net and was not wearing a batting helmet (which is not typically worn by pitchers). The athletes were warming up in preparation for a game that afternoon.

Other teammates were in a separate batting cage located north of where the injured athlete was warming up. A teammate in that north cage hit a line drive that went through an opening in the net, across an open area, and through the other batting cage’s opening, striking the athlete on the back of the head. Coaches were on the field and trainers were also on the campus, and first aid was immediately rendered. The player was transported by ambulance to Parkland Hospital.

“Our hearts and support have been extended to the family.” said Superintendent Kay Waggoner. “It is always incredibly difficult when a member of our GCISD family is involved in an accident or injury of any kind, and we are keeping the student and his family, along with teammates, friends, staff and coaches, in our thoughts and prayers.”