N.J. community rallies for 12-year-old Xavier Taylor after baseball warmup injury

Hundreds of community members and teammates gathered Thursday night at the New Jersey field where 12-year-old Xavier Taylor was struck in the neck by a baseball, holding a prayer vigil for the Maple Shade Youth Baseball player who remains in critical condition at a regional hospital.

The Tuesday incident at Fellowship Columbia Bank Field, which left Xavier hospitalized in the intensive care unit at Cooper University Hospital, has prompted an outpouring of community solidarity — including more than $60,000 raised for his family — that reflects how tightly bound youth sports communities can become in moments of crisis.

Xavier was struck in the neck during pre-game warmups at Fellowship Columbia Bank Field in Maple Shade and was airlifted to Cooper University Hospital, where he has remained in the intensive care unit since Tuesday, ABC7 Los Angeles reported. His condition was listed as critical at the time of the vigil.

Attendees at Thursday's gathering wore shirts bearing Xavier's jersey number, 6, as they filled the same field where he was injured. One speaker at the vigil addressed the crowd with a call for collective support: "Tonight, we are here to lift him up in prayer, strength and hope and love."

Greg Taylor, Xavier's father, stepped forward to speak to those assembled. "My son Xavier loves this game. He will play this game again," Greg Taylor told the crowd.

Beyond the vigil, the community organized a meal train for the Taylor family. A fundraising campaign surpassed $60,000 to help cover the family's costs during the hospitalization.

"I could not have asked or ever dreamt of support like this right now, but our end goal is for our son to be back on this field or whatever field is next destined for him," Greg Taylor said.

Xavier Taylor remains in the intensive care unit at Cooper University Hospital as of Thursday. Fundraising and meal support efforts for the Taylor family are ongoing as the Maple Shade community awaits news of his recovery.