In light of the tragic news from the world of Double-A Baseball yesterday, I’m writing this BLOG to simply plea for your attention about a very serious matter. In case you didn’t hear, last night the Tulsa Drillers of the Texas League lost not only a coach, but also a man who was a husband and father to young children. Mike Coolbaugh was killed when he was hit by a line drive in the head, in the 1st base coaches box. It’s as sad a story as any of us in this business will ever report.

The Drillers’ Texas League game against the host Arkansas Travelers was suspended in the 9th inning Sunday after the 35-year-old former major leaguer was hit by a foul ball off the bat of Tino Sanchez of the Drillers. Coolbaugh was taken to Baptist Medical Center-North Little Rock, where he was pronounced dead in route.

So here is my plea… when you go to games here at Trustmark Park and sit in the stands and enjoy the time with your friends and family… please PAY ATTENTION! Foul balls, especially ones hit hard down the baselines can be deadly, as we were reminded over the weekend. When I was playing little league baseball in Foxboro, Massachusetts as a 9 year old, my little brother Luke was hit with a foul ball while sitting in the stands playing with his friends. He never saw it coming, and it was hit by a 9-year old, probably the reason that he is still alive today and not suffering from any long lasting injury.

It’s not an un-safe place to go, and the M-Braves have all the necessary pre-cautions in place to protect you… so don’t go in fear. Just pay attention if you aren’t behind a net, and keep your eyes on the field. But just like in life – you never know do you?

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Mike Coolbaugh.

Christian