Sports

Petaluma Boy, 12, Still Hospitalized After Little League Accident

A wayward ball smacked pitcher Brendan O'Neill in the face, fracturing his skull and his nose.

 

A Petaluma boy remains hospitalized after an accident during a Little League tournament, which is raising questions about the safety of juvenile sporting events.

Brendan O'Neill, a pitcher, threw a ball during a Petaluma National Little League game Tuesday night.

Find out what's happening in Petalumawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The batter returned the ball in a line drive, which made a horrifying smacking sound as it struck O'Neill, 12, "square between the eyes," League President Anthony Lackey told the Santa Rosa Press Democrat

O'Neill fell to the ground, in pain from injuries which include a fractured skull, broken nose, and multiple forehead fractures.

Find out what's happening in Petalumawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

On Friday afternoon O'Neill is still in an Oakland hospital, his eyes still swollen shut, reports the Press Democrat.

The Press Democrat reports that the injury is raising questions about the safety of Little League equipment and practices.

Petaluma National Little League president Lackey said the board of directors meets Thursday and will discuss Brendan's injury and possible changes to improve the safety of the young players. Those could include switching to wood bats, using a larger field for older players and requiring the use of protective headgear for pitchers.

Read more about the incident here.


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