Father of 12-Year-Old Critically Injured After Being Struck in the Neck with Baseball Gives Update on His Condition

“We’re pushing day by day to hope that the activity comes back,” Greg Taylor said about his son Xavier Taylor’s condition after the freak accident

Stock image of baseball equipment.Credit : Getty

NEED TO KNOW

Xavier Taylor, 12, was struck by a baseball during pregame warm-ups on May 26 in Camden, N.J.
On May 31, his father said that Xavier remains in critical condition
Xavier’s family and community are rallying around him, holding a vigil and launching a “Bats Out for X” campaign

Xavier Taylor, the 12-year-old boy who was struck in the neck by a baseball, remains in critical condition and is on a ventilator.

The New Jersey preteen was struck in the neck by a baseball during pregame warm-ups with Maple Shade Youth Baseball on May 26.

After Xavier was struck, he collapsed on the field. He was airlifted to Cooper University Hospital in Camden, N.J., NBC News reports.

His father, Greg Taylor, told the outlet on Sunday, May 31, that Xavier is still in “very critical condition” and on a ventilator. “We’re pushing day by day to hope that the activity comes back,” Greg said.

Greg shared that his youngest son brought a pair of shoes to the hospital the first day Xavier arrived, telling his parents, “ ‘These are for Xavier when he comes home, because he’s walking out of here,’ ” Greg said.

Xavier’s baseball league, the Maple Shade Youth Baseball Association, has been raising awareness about Xavier’s condition, sharing the local community’s supportive messages on Facebook. The league also promoted “Bats Out for X,” asking the community to put bats on their porches in Xavier’s honor on Sunday, May 31.

“Our primary goal now is to ensure we are there for them in prayer and faith, helping them every way we can,” the outlet told NBC News. “We deeply appreciate the support shown by the community and those around the country; please keep all prayers coming.”

Days before, a vigil was held for Xavier at the field where he was injured. There, his father shared how much he loves baseball, “He will play this game again.”

PEOPLE reached out to the Maple Shade Youth Baseball Association for comment.