Giants' Kelby Tomlinson dedicates first MLB hit to batboy Kaiser Carlile
San Francisco Giants rookie Kelby Tomlinson dedicated his first major league hit to Kaiser Carlile, the nine-year-old batboy who died on Monday after being struck in the head by a bat during a game.
Before being drafted by the Giants in 2011, Tomlinson played for the collegiate summer league team the Liberal Bee Jays, the team Carlile volunteered with as a batboy.
To commemorate Carlile, Tomlinson recorded a video that was posted to Facebook with the caption, “Edited this video for the purpose of honoring two Bee Jays—both of which were ‘called up.’”
The video shows Tomlinson step up to the plate for his first major league at-bat and deposit a single into left-centerfield during the Giants' 12-inning, 8–9 loss to the Braves on Monday. Then, the video cuts to footage of Tomlinson speaking into the camera.
“Man has it been a crazy couple days,” Tomlinson said. “But in the mix of all of our excitement we remember Kaiser and the entire Carlile family. And from one Bee Jay to another, players, coaches, and especially Kaiser, this one's for you.”
Carlile was accidently hit in the head by a batter taking practice swings in the on-deck circle as Carlile went to retrieve a bat during a National Baseball College World Series game. He was taken to the hospital, but died of his injuries the next day. Carlile was wearing a helmet when he was hit.
After the incident, the National Baseball Congress suspended the use of batboys and batgirls for the remainder of the tournament.
Posted by Tyler Prater on Tuesday, August 4, 2015
"From One Bee Jay To Another"Edited this video for the purpose of honoring two Bee Jays - both of which were "called up". Thanks to Kelby for taking the time to do this. Please watch to the end. #kelbyandkaiser Liberal Bee Jays Seward County Community College
- Erin Flynn
