On Tuesday, a stressful moment at a Little League regional tournament in Waco, Texas, transformed into an uplifting show of sportsmanship when a youngster struck by a pitch consoled the pitcher who hit him.
At the Little League Southwest Regional Playoff final, pitcher Kaiden Shelton of Pearland, Texas, was facing hitter Isaiah Jarvis of Tulsa, Oklahoma, when he lost control of the ball and smacked Jarvis’ helmet. As coaches hurried to check on Jarvis, he slumped to the ground and grasped his head.
Jarvis was then called out and walked to first base. Shelton, on the other hand, was still frightened and started to weep.
Baseball’s Little League Drama
Pitcher Kaiden Shelton (29), of Pearland, Texas, throws to hitter Isaiah Jarvis, of Tulsa, Okla., during a Little League Southwest Regional Playoff baseball final on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022, in Waco, Texas, when a 0-2 fastball got away from him and smacked into Jarvis’ helmet.
Jarvis approached the mound and embraced Shelton when he saw the pitcher in distress. He explained to him, “Hey, you’re doing well. Let’s get started.”
The act was appreciated both in the stadium and online, with many hailing it as a great example of sportsmanship.
Jarvis told CBS News that he, too, would be “very terrified” if he were in Shelton’s position.
“It’s got to be terrifying if you’re throwing hard and you simply strike someone in the head,” he remarked. “So all I wanted to do was walk over there and make sure he was okay. Make certain that he understands that I am OK. And just encourage him.”
Pearland defeated Tulsa 9-4 to progress to the Little League World Series, which will be held in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.