A Tear.

Mike Coolbaugh, a coach for the Tulsa Drillers, was killed at a Minor League baseball game in the Texas League on Sunday. He was standing in the coach's box down the first base line when he was struck in the head by a line drive foul ball.

Our prayers go out to him, his family, and all of baseball. There really is not anything to add that could possibly make this story have a happy ending. I wish there were.

I apologize in advance to anyone that thinks this is not the right forum to stir a debate. That said, the ball came off of a wooden bat. That's right, not aluminum.

Professor's Note: Both of us extend our prayers. Tragedies such as this - while they do occur in the sports world - are not expected on the baseball diamond. The ball came off the bat of Tino Sanchez, also of the Tulsa Drillers, and our thoughts are with him as well. One can only imagine what he is feeling right now. The human side is more important than the sports angle:

Coolbaugh is survived by his wife, Mandy, and two young sons, Joseph and Jacob... Mandy Coolbaugh is expecting another child in October.[SOURCE]

Coolbaugh had just recently joined the team on July 3rd as an interim hitting coach. All minor league teams are small organizations, and the shock of this tragedy may not subside for some time, if ever.

The Drillers and Spirit Bank have set up a memorial fund to benefit the Coolbaugh family. Checks can be made payable to the Mike Coolbaugh Memorial Fund and sent to:

Mike Coolbaugh Memorial Fund
c/o Spirit Bank
1800 S. Baltimore Ave.
Tulsa, OK 74119

All proceeds collected will go directly to the Coolbaugh family. Spirit Bank began the fund with a $5,000 donation.