Burlington Boy Recovering After Being Hit In Head By Line Drive
BURLINGTON (CBS) - Patrick O'Halloran was pitching for Burlington in the Cal Ripken World Series last week when he was hit by a line drive.
Fortunately, the 13-year-old boy is now recovering at home after spending five days in the hospital with a severe concussion and whiplash.
Even still, the memories of the horrific accident have lingered with Patrick, his family and his teammates.
"I thought I was paralyzed because I couldn't feel my body," O'Halloran said. "I just remember a three-to-one count and gave him a fast ball and drove right back at me. I don't even remember throwing the pitch."
"We could hear it. Everyone could hear it. It was loud and he went down quick," the boy's father, also named Patrick, added.
Patrick was knocked unconscious for about 30 seconds, and was eventually removed from the field on a stretcher.
"I just remember seeing the ball come right back at Pat, and I just saw him go down," said teammate Dan Romagna. "I was scared for him."
With the pitcher's mound only about 46 feet from home plate, and pitches traveling upwards of 70 MPH and coming back even faster, the boy didn't have much time to react.
"I just remember waking up and laying down on the mound. My whole body was tingling," the boy said.
Today, his family and friends are relieved to have him back home.
"It's been a long week so it's good to have him back," his father said.
