Xavier Taylor, a 12-year-old Maple Shade, New Jersey, baseball player, has been unresponsive since May 26, 2026, when a teammate’s throw hit him in the neck during warmups before a game at Fellowship Columbia Bank Field. He collapsed, went into cardiac arrest and was airlifted to Cooper University Hospital. His father, Greg Taylor, a retired firefighter-EMT, ran onto the field. He has called the injury a freak accident and said no one is at fault.

Almost four months later Xavier is still on a ventilator. He has been 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 come this far. Xavier has gained weight, is regulating his own body temperature and 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.” His father believes he hears them. The prayer that remains: that Xavier will open his eyes. Inside the boy’s cap is Philippians 4:13.

His mother, Mai-Lin DosReis-Taylor, has stayed at his side. The family asked people across the country and abroad to stop at 5 p.m. ET on Sept. 19 for a Night of Prayer and Praise at Kenny Karcher Jr. Memorial Field — and from homes, churches and workplaces — 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 supporters Xavier loves baseball, Maple Shade and Jesus. “God will wake you,” he has said.

Support has included vigils, a Meal Train that raised more than $100,000, blue lights on the Ben Franklin Bridge and Philadelphia skyline, a Jeep parade and teams wearing his No. 6. Maple Shade canceled the rest of the Major division season. The family says they believe he will walk out and play again.

Sources

• 6abc Philadelphia and CBS Philadelphia family interviews, Sept. 18–19, 2026
• FOX 29 Night of Prayer coverage
• NBC10, Courier-Post, People (May–June reporting)
• Maple Shade Youth Baseball and Taylor family updates