As a player last night, I overheard a veteran (30 year) ASA umpire talking about a couple of players in our country who had supposedly been fatally injured this season from batted balls that had hit them in either the head or the chest. This discussion was in relation to the issue of banning certain manufacturer's bats. He did not make any of the statements as facts, just that these were things he learned through his umpire's grapevine.

I've not heard of anyone's death on a softball field, let alone during this year. I'd think that that would be a news story we'd all have heard.

I've heard many stories over the years about players getting creamed with line drives in the face and breaking noses, injuring eyes, etc. But have any of you ever heard of someone's death being caused by a batted ball?