Japanese Baseball Umpire Hit by Bat, Unconscious for Two Weeks
A Japanese professional baseball umpire was hit in the head by a bat during a game two weeks ago and remains unconscious. The accident occurred when Yakult Swallows slugger Jose Osuna's bat flew out of his hands, striking umpire Takuto Kawakami, who underwent emergency surgery.
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- 📰 Published: May 1, 2026 at 20:43
- 🔍 Collected: May 1, 2026 at 21:02 (19 min after Published)
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, Tokyo, May 1st, comprehensive foreign report) Japanese media reported that a Japanese professional baseball umpire was hit in the head by a bat during a game two weeks ago and remains unconscious.
Agence France-Presse reported that Takuto Kawakami was serving as the home plate umpire in a game in Tokyo on April 16th when Yakult Swallows slugger Jose Osuna's bat flew out of his hands after a swing, hitting Kawakami on the left side of his head.
According to Japanese media, the 30-year-old Takuto Kawakami immediately collapsed and was rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment. He underwent emergency surgery and was at one point treated in the intensive care unit.
Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) told the media that Takuto Kawakami has been transferred to a general ward but has not yet regained consciousness. This was Kawakami's first time serving as a home plate umpire.
Osuna apologized for the accident, posting on the X social media platform after the incident: 'I am very sorry for the bat hitting the umpire today, I hope he is safe, I am truly sorry.'
The Japan Professional Baseball Players Association also issued a statement, wishing Takuto Kawakami a speedy recovery. (Compiled by: Hung Pei-ying) 1150501
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(Central News Agency, Tokyo, May 1st, comprehensive foreign report) Japanese media reported that a Japanese professional baseball umpire was hit in the head by a bat during a game two weeks ago and remains unconscious.
Agence France-Presse reported that Takuto Kawakami was serving as the home plate umpire in a game in Tokyo on April 16th when Yakult Swallows slugger Jose Osuna's bat flew out of his hands after a swing, hitting Kawakami on the left side of his head.
According to Japanese media, the 30-year-old Takuto Kawakami immediately collapsed and was rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment. He underwent emergency surgery and was at one point treated in the intensive care unit.
Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) told the media that Takuto Kawakami has been transferred to a general ward but has not yet regained consciousness. This was Kawakami's first time serving as a home plate umpire.
Osuna apologized for the accident, posting on the X social media platform after the incident: 'I am very sorry for the bat hitting the umpire today, I hope he is safe, I am truly sorry.'
The Japan Professional Baseball Players Association also issued a statement, wishing Takuto Kawakami a speedy recovery. (Compiled by: Hung Pei-ying) 1150501
Stand with the facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency 'First-hand News' APP to stay updated with the latest news.
Text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.