Teen Hit By Softball Dies On 16th Birthday

A California teen who was hit with a softball during gym class died from his injuries on Wednesday.

According to UPI, Taylor Dorman, 16, was playing a game called “Over The Line” during gym class at Ramona High School in San Diego. Dorman was hit in the chest with a softball during the game. The 16-year-old, who was celebrating his birthday that day, continued to play the game for about 20 minutes before he collapsed.

Ramona High School Principal Tony Newman said: “After being hit Taylor complained of his chest hurting then he collapsed … We are very saddened by this news. … Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.”

Dorman was lifted via helicopter to the Palomar Medical Center in Escondido. He died a few hours later.

According to UT San Diego, the California teen may have suffered a heart attack after getting hit with the softball. Medical examiners haven’t released an official cause of death but said that Taylor became unresponsive after suffering a seizure. He went into ventricular fibrillation, which is often triggered by a heart attack, and developed an irregular heart beat. Doctors tried to stabilize his heart rhythm but sadly, Taylor passed away.

A study conducted in 2012 by USA Baseball said that there were 39 youth baseball deaths, among 86.2 million participants, from 1989 to 2006. The American Academy of Pediatrics writes that a blunt impact to the chest can cause the heart to beat irregularly. This happens more often to players under the age of 16 who have not developed strong chest walls.

One of his friends, Katie Scroggins, wrote on Facebook: “I never thought in a million years someone would die at the high school. Especially not someone in my p.e. class … RIP Taylor Dorman. You will be missed by many.”

Students from Ramona High school gathered on Wednesday night to mourn the California teen’s death and to celebrate his birthday.