Teen Hit by Softball Dies, Remembered as ‘Good Guy’

Teen hit by softball dies: A Southern California teen died on his birthday after he was hit in the chest with a softball during a physical education class.
Teen Hit by Softball Dies, Remembered as ‘Good Guy’
4/11/2013
Updated:
4/11/2013

Teen hit by softball dies:  A Southern California teen died on his birthday after he was hit in the chest with a softball during a physical education class.

Taylor Dorman, 16, collapsed on the field around 20 minutes after he was hit in the chest, according to KTLA-TV. He was rushed to a hospital and died hours later.

On Wednesday night, several students gathered at Ramona High School to mourn his death. They signed a poster and planted flowers on the poster.

“We felt it was right to celebrate his birthday the way he would want to. And I just wish he could be here for it,” student Alex Flynn told NBC News.

His friends brought in “Happy Birthday” balloons and one described him as an “all-around good guy,” according to the station.

“I never thought in a million years someone would die at the high school. Especially not someone in my p.e. class,” student Katie Scroggins posted on Facebook, according to U-T San Diego. “RIP Taylor Dorman. You will be missed by many.”

He was playing Over-The-Line with a few other students when he was hit at 11 a.m.

“He was a fine young man, very well-liked by students on our campus,” said Principal Tony Newton, according to NBC. “It was very tragic and our hearts go out to the family and his friends and his classmates. Our thoughts and our hearts will be with them.”

His best friend, Navar Findley, said Dorman was “passionate about two things — surfing and video games,” according to U-T San Diego.

“He was never mean to anybody; totally the guy who walks up and cheers up your day. He’s a jokester,” he said.