 |
Tulsa Drillers' first base coach Mike Coolbaugh dies after being hit by foul ball
From the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette:
Mike Coolbaugh was hit in the side of the head during in the top of ninth inning with Drillers player Tino Sanchez at bat. Coolbaugh collapsed to the ground and lay there motionless as medical personnel and team members came to his side. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed on the field.
Coolbaugh, 35, then was transported to Baptist Health Medical Center in North Little Rock. He was pronounced dead a short time later, according to Sgt. Terry Kuykendall, spokesman for the North Little Rock Police Department.
According to the Tulsa Drillers Web site, Coolbaugh joined the team on July 3.
The game was suspended with the Arkansas Travelers leading 7-3 with no outs in the ninth inning.
Very sad. I had the pleasure of meeting Coolbaugh a few years ago. He was very personable and friendly from what I remember. Coolbaugh had spent the last 17 years involved in professional baseball as both a player and a coach. Coolbaugh is survived by his wife, Mandy, and two young sons, Joseph and Jacob. Mandy Coolbaugh is expecting another child in October.
Update [2007-7-23 4:15:53 by malakian]:
More details from MinorLeagueBaseball.com
Update [2007-7-23 15:29:29 by Russ]: The Rockies have issued a statement, and a memorial fund has been set up in his memory. For those who want to donate:
Mike Coolbaugh Memorial Fund c/o Spirit Bank 1800 S. Baltimore Ave. Tulsa, OK 74119