Tragedy at Rangers Game

Eagle-96 · July 8, 2011

Sad news as a fan who fell from the left field stands to the concrete 20 feet below has died from his injuries. A foul ball was hit to left field and bounced into the field of play. Josh Hamilton tossed the ball into the stands as a souvenir like every other fielder does. The fan reached for the ball and fell over the railing behind the scoreboard headfirst. Apparently the fan was conscious and talking as he was taken away by ambulance but later died. Sadly his young son witnessed the fall. Thoughts and prayers to the friends and family of the fan and to Josh Hamilton as this must weigh heavy on his mind and he is understandably distraught.

Edited July 8, 2011 by Eagle-96

Green P1 · July 8, 2011

One year and one day after the guy fell from the suite level last year. Both men firefighters. Crazy.

The Rangers should have gotten rid of that gap as soon as they did away with the manual scoreboard.

THOR · July 8, 2011

The Rangers should have gotten rid of that gap as soon as they did away with the manual scoreboard.

no, the fans shouldn't get all excited about a foul ball and should be more careful with themselves and their surroundings. don't hold others responsible for keeping you safe. take ownership for your safety.

it sucks big time that he died, but it could have been prevented if he wouldn't have been overzealous about getting a foul ball. it's just a ball.

Albatross · July 8, 2011

Tragic event indeed. Prayers go out to their family.

Travis · July 8, 2011

Man, this is just an awful unfortunate incident. How easy it is to get caught up in the moment and do something ill-advised. I really hurt for his son and how this can effect him.

untcampbell · July 8, 2011

Took an after dinner walk here in the cool air of Idaho, listened to Diamond Talk and 15 minutes in, they get the news.

Not sure if all of this is true, but even more tragic in this incident:

Son witnesses the accident...dad trying to catch a ball for his son.

Fan in the stands said he saw the victim going over and attempted to arrest the fall.

Victim is a Brownwood firefighter.

Victim was conscious after the fall and asks the paramedics to make sure someone takes care of his son (at the game).

Oakland TV (Comcast) caught the incident on film and chose to air it one-plus minute after it happened. FSSW had access to Comcast' feed and chose not to air it.

Victim went into full cardiac arrest on the way to the hospital.

Tears and prayers for this family.

Rudy · July 8, 2011

Not many things make me want to tear up. This was one of them.

CMJ · July 8, 2011

Kinda reminds me of the toddler that died at Staples Center a year or so ago when they fell out of a luxury box.

UNT90 · July 8, 2011

One year and one day after the guy fell from the suite level last year. Both men firefighters. Crazy.

The Rangers should have gotten rid of that gap as soon as they did away with the manual scoreboard.

They can't. That walkway is used by visiting pitchers to access the bullpen.

KRAM1 · July 8, 2011

Thoughts and prayers go out to this family. Such a tragedy after one of those great summer adventures...Dad and son at the ballpark. It should have been a lasting great memory for both father and son, now we can only hope and pray that that young boy will be able to overcome this tragedy and remember that his Dad loved him a great deal. One of the last things reported that the Dad said was to ask about his son. This is so sad on so many levels. May God grant this family peace.

bstnsportsfan3 · July 8, 2011

Yes what makes this so sad was the fact he was getting the ball for his son

Green Mean · July 8, 2011

Such a terrible tragedy. There is no blame here as this was one of those 'Oh Sh*t' moments. That being said fans really need to be more conscious of things they do.