A 9-year-old bat boy for the Liberal Bee Jays, a summer collegiate baseball team in Kansas, died after he was struck in the head by a player's bat at the National Baseball Congress World Series on Saturday.
Kaiser Carlile was running to retrieve a bat from the field when a batter practicing his swing, who didn't see Kaiser, swung and hit the boy in the head. The umpire and the base player ran to catch the boy -- who was wearing a helmet -- before he fell to the floor, a witness told KWCH.
"They caught him and just set him on the [ground] and they all clustered around him quickly. It was really silent. Everybody was quiet. I think they were all really sad because it was a really small boy," the witness, Malachi Lingg, said.
Kaiser was rushed in the hospital in an ambulance, where he later died. The team gathered in prayer once they heard the news and confirmed his death on Facebook late Sunday night.
The Liberal Bee Jays kneel in prayer after discovering the tragic news of Kaiser Carlile's passing after the game. pic.twitter.com/OEMrHXiQrU— Taylor Eldridge (@teldridge24) August 3, 2015
"With the permission of the family, and with much sorrow and a very broken heart, I regretfully inform everyone that Kaiser Carlile passed away earlier this evening," the Facebook page for the Bee Jays said. "Please keep his family and our team in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you all for the support during this ordeal!"
National Baseball Congress also said in a statement it was "difficult to remember a day that is darker than this one."
The National Baseball Congress has experienced tragedy many times in 84 years, however, it’s difficult to remember a day that is darker than this one. On Sunday, we lost a member of our family and it will hurt for a very long time. With heavy hearts, we send our thoughts, prayers and condolences to the Carlile family and Bee Jays organization. Sometimes life doesn’t make sense and this accident certainly is a memorable example. Kaiser was simply doing something he loved. He was simply doing a job most kids across America dream of having for one night or multiple summers. That’s the part that makes us all wonder “why” and while it may never be answered, now is the time to support the city of Liberal, the BJ’s organization and Kaiser’s family. The NBC and the NBC World Series looks forward to honoring Kaiser in the near future. During this tragic and emotional time, may God bless Kaiser and his baseball family.
Players for the Liberal Bee Jays are remembering the young bat boy on Twitter.
Heaven's baseball team just gained the best bat boy ever. He was always able to put a smile on every single one of our faces. RIP Kaiser.— Lee Busto (@leebaldo) August 3, 2015
He made an impact on every single person's lives, especially mine. He was an incredible kid. #havefun love you buddy pic.twitter.com/UkHwjlY8i9— Gavin Wehby (@gwehby4) August 3, 2015
So thankful to have gotten to know you kaiser. You have moved the hearts of so many. We'll be missing you down here little buddy. #RIPKC — Brandon Rix (@BrandonRix) August 3, 2015
Kaiser, you were a little brother I never had. You took the field with us every game this summer. You were, and always will be a Bee Jay. No person or team could ask for a better bat boy. It is terrible to see you leave in such a way, but knowing your last moments were on the baseball field makes it easier through this whole process, because you were doing what you loved. It hurts to see someone so young and with so much heart pass like you did, but you are now in God's hands, and being the bat boy for the angels up above. We all love you, and you will be greatly missed. R.I.P. Kaiser Carlile A photo posted by Kadon Simmons (@iybkadon) on Aug 2, 2015 at 9:47pm PDT
Incredibly saddened to hear about kaiser's passing. I speak for all @LiberalBeeJays players past and present. Our thoughts are with you— Sam Pack (@Sam_Pack8) August 3, 2015
Players wore the sweatbands with the initials K.C. and the team honored Kaiser on their scoreboard at Sunday's game. When they won 8-0, the team said, "That's for you KC!" on its Facebook page.
Scoreboard at the @NBCBaseball World Series. Look closely at the bottom center. Today's games are for you KC! pic.twitter.com/1Ri2mTYHxK— Liberal Bee Jays (@LiberalBeeJays) August 2, 2015
The Liberal Bee Jays started a GoFundMe page to raise money for the Carlile family's medical and funeral expenses. So far, the page has less than $13,000 of its $100k goal.