NPB Umpire Hit by Bat, Comatose for 1.5 Months, Now Can Blink and Move Arm

(Central News Agency, reporter Dai Yazhen, Tokyo 8th special dispatch) Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) announced on the 8th the latest condition of umpire Takuto Kawakami, 30, who was critically injured when a bat struck his head during a game on April 16. According to his family, although he has not yet regained consciousness, he is now able to blink in response to family and visitors and can move his arms, showing improvement from his initial condition.

According to the Sankei Shimbun, the accident occurred in the 8th inning of the game between the Tokyo Yakult Swallows and the Yokohama DeNA BayStars at Meiji Jingu Stadium on April 16. After Yakult's Jose Osuna swung, the bat slipped from his hands and directly struck the left side of Kawakami's head. He was seriously injured, rushed to the hospital, and underwent surgery. He was transferred to a general ward on April 30 and continues to receive treatment and rehabilitation.

NPB stated that after the accident, a large number of messages of concern and encouragement poured in from various sectors. The family wished to express their gratitude and update the public on his condition through NPB.

In a statement, the Kawakami family expressed deep gratitude to the medical team for their dedicated treatment. While the attending physician stated that it is not yet possible to confirm that he has regained consciousness, Kawakami can blink in response to family and visitors and can move his arms. Compared to the initial stage of the injury, a gradual improvement can be felt.

The family also revealed that it is currently impossible to predict Kawakami's discharge date. He will need to continue rehabilitation and treatment in the future, and the family will accompany him on the long road to recovery.

The statement concluded by thanking all fans and concerned parties who have been thinking of Kawakami, saying, "Takuto is fighting hard against his injury. We hope everyone will continue to cheer him on."

Following this accident, NPB decided that from April 18, all umpires in all games must wear helmet-type face shields. Last month, they finalized new regulations for 'dangerous swings.'

Under the new rules, a bat leaving the batter's two hands constitutes a 'dangerous swing.' The first offense results in a 'warning,' the second in an 'ejection.' If the bat directly hits another person, the batter is immediately ejected. On May 16, Yomiuri Giants player Shunsuke Urata became the first player to receive a warning under this rule. (Editor: Zhang Zhixuan) 1150608