Minnesota Twins to honor 15-year old pitcher who died in tragic baseball accident when he was hit in the head by a return ball

A 15-year-old boy who planned to spend his summer playing the sport he loved died tragically on Sunday.

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Photo courtesy Des Moines Register

Zacharie Schaubhut lived in Ankeny, Iowa, but was planning to live with his grandparents in Bemidji, Minn., this summer. He'd lived in Bemidji before moving to Ankeny last fall.

He went back because he wanted to play summer ball with the Northern Heat, the travel team he'd been playing with since he was 10 years old, according to the Des Moines Register. Tryouts were planned for Tuesday afternoon. 

On Sunday, he was pitching in a pick-up game when a hit came quickly off the bat, the ball striking Schaubhut before he could react. He immediately collapsed, and was rushed to the local hospital. He died Sunday afternoon, as reported by KSTP-TV.

League president Bruce Dahlin told police that the boy was struck in the head. His grandfather later said that he may have been struck elsewhere, as he showed no bruising or signs of blunt force trauma. Doctors told the family that the boy may have had a previously-undetected medical condition, his grandfather told Dahlin. 

"Medical report explained that he had a brain aneurysm. Not sure any further details," his mother told the Des Moines Register via Facebook. 

"This is a freak thing that we don't see and we play thousands of games and never had this happen," Dahlin told the Des Moines Register. "We're going to try and be reactive to this and look at our program and see what is. (Player safety) is always on our minds. I've seen kids get hit, but nothing like this."

Without video, there is no way of reviewing exactly what happened or knowing where he was hit. Finding answers would likely bring little solace to the grieving family and community.

Bemidji league officials posted a message on the league's Facebook page Sunday night:

“It is with a heavy heart that our Northern Heat family asks for prayers for the family & friends of Zacharie Schaubhut. May God’s love heal your sorrow & may His peace replace your heartache with warm and loving memories. Zach has gone to play at that big field in the sky. May the skies be blue, the grass be mowed & the umpires make the right calls.”

The Minnesota Twins will honor Schaubhut with a moment of silence on Tuesday night, shortly before facing off against the Boston Red Sox. 

"He left this earth playing baseball which he loved so much," his mother said. 

"He touched many lives. He will be dearly missed."