Dad of New Jersey boy, 12, critically injured by baseball shares an update

A 12-year-old New Jersey boy is in critical condition after an accident during a baseball game last week. Xavier Taylor, 12, was struck in the neck by a baseball on 26 May during pregame warm-ups with the team. He was airlifted to Cooper University Hospital in Camden, N.J., after collapsing on the field.His father, Greg Taylor, has shared that his child remains in critical condition and is on a ventilator. Speaking to NBC Philadelphia, he said 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.Xavier’s baseball league, the Maple Shade Youth Baseball Association, is raising awareness about his condition and has also expressed that its focus is on supporting the family. “Our primary goal now is to ensure we are there for them in prayer and faith, helping them every way we can. We deeply appreciate the support shown by the community and those around the country; please keep all prayers coming,” they said on Monday in a statement to the network.“My son Xavier loves this game; he will play this game again,” the father told the crowd at the vigil.The league also promoted ‘Bats Out for X’, asking the community to put bats on their porches in Xavier’s honour on Sunday, 31 May. In a post shared on Facebook, they said, “On Sunday evening, 31 May, we ask that all baseball players place one baseball bat out on their porch as we rally together for Xavier while he battles to recover from a freak accident on the baseball field.” The baseball team has been actively supporting the Taylor family, sharing updates and messages of encouragement from the local community and beyond. They have also arranged a lemonade stand for Tuesday night at the Charles Street School field to support Xavier. “Xavier’s club team will also be holding a lemonade stand to support Xavier and the Taylor family. Please see the flyer for all the details and consider stopping by to show your support,” they said.