Man Falls to His Death at Rangers Game

[24fps]

Trying to catch a ball thrown to him by Josh Hamilton.

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/43679370/ns/sports-baseball/

He was there with his son. Really sad.

[nevadaO]

It is really sad. Can you imagine how the son must be feeling having watched his father fall to his death?

Also, how bad does Josh Hamilton have to feel? He tosses a ball in the stands and a man dies from it? Wow.

[tennOsfan]

What a tragic story. Sad all around. And you know Hamilton feels awful. I hope he can deal with it.

[TGO]

Terrible. I hope his family and the fans and players who were there are able to deal with this.

Catching a baseball is not worth your life or even a major injury.

[Sports Guy]

Of all the people that this could happen to, it happened to Hamilton. I hope this doesn't effect him.

But this is a terrible tragedy. One of these days, people are going to understand that it is just a freakin baseball. The way fans go after balls is amazing. Its just so stupid.

[OFFNY]

Of all the people that this could happen to, it happened to Hamilton. I hope this doesn't effect him.

But this is a terrible tragedy. One of these days, people are going to understand that it is just a freakin' baseball.

The way fans go after balls is amazing. Its just so stupid.

Another poster put this up a few weeks ago (was it you?). I can't remember, but it was awful to watch.

[Can_of_corn]

Passan's take.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=jp-passan_texas_hamilton_tragedy_fan_death_070811

Warning, don't read that at work if you tear up easily and need to look professional.

[BaltimoreTerp]

This is just one of those horrible accidents. No one is really to blame, and since the reason was so meaningless on a universal level (getting a foul ball) everyone feels so terrible about it. Brad Zeigler of the A's, who had no connection other than being in the visitor's bullpen nearby, was breaking down in the phone interview they played on Sportscenter today.

The one thing I'm curious about is why the "gap" between the stands and the fence is there in the first place. Why someone couldn't anticipate a potential fall and put something in place to prevent such a drop (a net or boards or something part of the way down, perhaps)?

When someone falls out of the upper deck (like last year at Rangers Stadium) or is trying to slide down the escalator (like at Coors Field this year) and gets injured or worse, that is very hard to reasonably prevent. But in some way, it seems like this was a case where something could have been done architecturally to prevent an accident more than what happened.

[Can_of_corn]

This is just one of those horrible accidents. No one is really to blame, and since the reason was so meaningless on a universal level (getting a foul ball) everyone feels so terrible about it. Brad Zeigler of the A's, who had no connection other than being in the visitor's bullpen nearby, was breaking down in the phone interview they played on Sportscenter today.

The one thing I'm curious about is why the "gap" between the stands and the fence is there in the first place. Why someone couldn't anticipate a potential fall and put something in place to prevent such a drop (a net or boards or something part of the way down, perhaps)?

When someone falls out of the upper deck (like last year at Rangers Stadium) or is trying to slide down the escalator (like at Coors Field this year) and gets injured or worse, that is very hard to reasonably prevent. But in some way, it seems like this was a case where something could have been done architecturally to prevent an accident more than what happened.

If I am understand you and Nolan Ryan correctly this was touched upon a few minutes ago. They had some sort of decking material in place but removed it because folks were actively going out on it after balls.

[BaltimoreTerp]

If I am understand you and Nolan Ryan correctly this was touched upon a few minutes ago. They had some sort of decking material in place but removed it because folks were actively going out on it after balls.

That was the first thing I thought of, both as a fix and as the consequence. But it seems like they could have done something else instead part of the way down the gap if across the top was an issue.

[orayole]

That was the first thing I thought of, both as a fix and as the consequence. But it seems like they could have done something else instead part of the way down the gap if across the top was an issue.

I agree. At least some sort of netting near the bottom. Far enough down that people dont go on it on purpose but enough to catch someone if they fall down.

[waroriole]

This is one of the saddest things I've ever heard. There's not much else to say, hopefully this kid and his family are able to hang in there.

[cindyluvsbrady]

This is awful:(

My heart breaks for that poor liitle boy:002_scry::002_scry:

Has this ever happened before?

[24fps]

24 hours later and Hamilton is still shaken.

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/43693718/ns/sports-baseball/

A part of this report is truly heart-wrenching.

[notfast]

This is just a horrible story. Im a grown man and one of the best times I had at a game was going with my dad and trying to catch a ball. So much so that my brother and I packed up our gloves and took my dad to BP and had front row seats just last week for a Fathers Day gift. I dont want a ball itself, I want the thrill of catching a ball. Its what you do at a game. Then you give it to a kid who gets a thrill from the actual ball.

This is tough for anyone who's enjoyed a game with their father.