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| Fans react after Shannon Stone's fall over the railing in left field at Ranger Ballpark in Arlington. The little boy in the red Ranger hat and red shirt is his son Cooper |
It wasn't until this morning when I picked up the USA Today that I discovered to my horror that during the game a fan named Shannon Stone, a fireman who was there with his six-year-old son, had been killed by a fall from the stands in left field. My God, what a tragedy! I think of all the times I drove with my boys down to Arlington to watch the Rangers. It was, and is, a father-son ritual for millions of dads. Stone had reached out for a ball tossed into the stands by Ranger left-fielder Josh Hamilton. The incident has been a searing experience for Hamilton, who normally does not toss balls into the stands. But he responded to Shannon Stone's request in the first inning when he saw him there with his son. So in the second when a foul ricocheted to Hamilton, he tossed it to Stone. It was a little short. The man caught the ball and flipped over the railing, falling to the concrete 20 feet below. Hamilton says he can still hear the little boy screaming for his dad. (See this article as well.)
4 comments:
That was a horrifically tragic accident. I hope that his little boy recovers fully from having to witness such an unfortunate event.
I watched the game on TV. Nothing at all was said about this accident during the game, although they had to know. I don't know whether I like that. That poor little man is only 6, and it was his first ballgame ever. Makes me shudder because I used to drive my sons down to Arlington to watch the Rangers all the time. Here this dad is doing one of the best things he can with his boy, and look what happens. So sad!
Too many sudden reversals: going from a sunny day at the ball park to this tragedy!
There have been a couple of tragedies at the ball park this year, accidnets, beatings, etc.
It's been an awful experience for the Rangers, although they have been very sensitive to the family.
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