Missouri 7-year-old hit by foul ball suffers brain injury, family says

A southwest Missouri family said they remain hopeful after their 7-year-old son received a brain injury when he was struck by a foul ball at a college baseball game in Joplin.

Three days after he was hit by the ball, the family of Dawson Hirshey was told Monday that he will survive. He is currently under sedation at Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City.

Holly Hughes, a cousin, wrote on a GoFundMe page Monday that Dawson was at a Missouri State Southern University baseball game Friday at Joe Becker Stadium in Joplin when he was hit by a foul ball.

Dawson was taken to a hospital in Joplin, then Children's Mercy to undergo surgery. Part of his skull was removed to allow for swelling, and the injury will likely affect movement on the left side of his body, family said through the GoFundMe page.

The Joplin Globe reported that Dawson and his parents were sitting in a field-level section along the third baseline, a section that was not shielded by a net. The stadium is maintained by the city of Joplin, which told the newspaper Monday its thoughts were with the boy and his family. It did not indicate whether it would conduct a safety review.

Dawson now faces a long road to recovery.

The GoFundMe page that was set up Monday has raised more than $4,000 in donations, which are expected to help cover medical bills and traveling and housing expenses for Dawson and his family.

The Diamond, Mo., community where Dawson goes to school is also ordering "Pray for Dawson" T-shirts to help the family.

While he's in the hospital, Dawson also received some gifts from the Kansas City Royals, his family said. A spokesman with the Royals said they sent the family some goodies, including a Mike Moustakas baseball bat.

In a public Facebook group called "Prayers 4 Dawson," his mother, Alicia Hughes-Hirshey, said Monday she's thankful for the support her son has received.

"Our baby boy has a long road ahead, but our prayers are being answered. Please continue to pray for him. God is so good!" Hughes-Hirshey said in a statement. "I can't thank all of you enough for the prayers, well wishes, thoughts, and love — from people that we know and people that we do not. We are proud to call each one of you friends."

This story was originally published April 17, 2018 at 11:11 AM with the headline "Missouri 7-year-old hit by foul ball suffers brain injury, family says."