Xavier Taylor, 12, of Maple Shade, New Jersey, has remained unconscious since May 26, 2026, when a teammate’s errant throw hit him in the neck during warmups before a Maple Shade Youth Baseball game at Fellowship Columbia Bank Field. He collapsed, went into cardiac arrest and was airlifted to Cooper University Hospital in Camden. His father, Greg Taylor, a retired firefighter-EMT, ran onto the field to help. He has called it a freak accident and said no one is to blame. He has spoken with the player who threw the ball.

Nearly four months later Xavier is still on a ventilator. He was moved from the hospital to a short-term care facility. Greg Taylor told 6abc and CBS Philadelphia that doctors said the family should not have reached this point. Xavier has gained weight. He is off most regular medication except nutrition. “When we look at Xave every day, we see Xavier. We don’t see that frail boy from May and early June.” The father said he believes his son hears them. His prayer: “God will wake you.” Inside Xavier’s cap is Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

His mother, Mai-Lin DosReis-Taylor, has spent more than three months at his side. In mid-September she asked people worldwide to join a Night of Prayer and Praise on Sept. 19 at Kenny Karcher Jr. Memorial Field, praying for Xavier, for healing and for other families in crisis. “We’re asking for the world to get involved,” she said. “This is not just about Xavier.” Greg Taylor told those at the vigil that Xavier loves baseball, the community and Jesus.

The community response has been large: vigils at the field and hospital, a Meal Train that raised well over $100,000, blue lights on the Ben Franklin Bridge and Philadelphia skyline, a Jeep parade, first pitches by family members, and teams wearing his No. 6. Maple Shade canceled the rest of the Major division season out of respect. The family says they believe he will walk out and play again.

Sources

• 6abc Philadelphia, CBS Philadelphia, NBC10, FOX 29
• Courier-Post
• People
• Maple Shade Youth Baseball and family updates
• Sept. 19 Night of Prayer coverage