A 12-year-old New Jersey boy is in critical condition after being struck in the head during warmups before a baseball game last week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Xavier Taylor was hospitalized following the incident Tuesday night at Fellowship Columbia Bank Field near Maple Shade, NBC Philadelphia reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After being hit and collapsing on the field, Xavier was airlifted to Cooper University Hospital in Camden, New Jersey, police told NBC Philadelphia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Maple Shade Youth Baseball Association said in a statement to NBC News on Monday that its focus is supporting Xavier and his family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur primary goal now is to ensure we are there for them in prayer and faith, helping them every way we can,\u201d the statement said. \u201cWe deeply appreciate the support shown by the community and those around the country; please keep all prayers coming.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In video posted Sunday, Xavier\u2019s father, Greg Taylor, told NBC Philadelphia that his son is still in \u201cvery critical condition\u201d and on a ventilator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019re pushing day by day to hope that the activity comes back,\u201d Greg Taylor said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur youngest son brought a pair of shoes for him the first day we got here and said, \u2018These are for Xavier when he comes home, because he\u2019s walking out of here,\u2019\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Thursday night, teammates and members of the community gathered for a vigil at the field where the incident occurred. Some attendees wore his team number, No. 6.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the vigil, Greg Taylor told the crowd: \u201cMy son Xavier loves this game; he will play this game again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the days following the incident, the Maple Shade community supported Xavier by lighting up its Main Street with blue, his team\u2019s color. The Maple Shade Youth Baseball Facebook page also asked community members to place bats on their porches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOn Sunday evening, May 31, we ask that all baseball players place one baseball bat out on their porch as we rally together for Xavier while he battles to recover from a freak accident on the baseball field.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Other teams in the community have shown their support, posting pictures for Xavier on their Facebook accounts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n