Shocking accident in baseball
Referee unconscious for two weeks after hit by bat
May 1, 2026 – 12:29 p.mReading time: 1 min.
A flying baseball bat hits referee Takuto Kawakami in the head in Tokyo. He is still fighting for his recovery.
Two weeks after a serious hit to the head, Japanese baseball umpire Takuto Kawakami remains unconscious in the hospital. The 30-year-old was hit in Tokyo on April 16 when the racket of player José Osuna came loose from his hands. Despite emergency surgery, his level of consciousness has not improved since then.
It was Kawakami’s first appearance as head umpire at home plate. After being hit, he collapsed immediately and was taken to hospital. An emergency operation followed and he was then taken to the intensive care unit. He is now in a normal ward – he has not yet regained consciousness. The Nippon Professional Baseball Organization (NPB) confirmed this to local media.
Osuna plays for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows and publicly apologized shortly after the incident. On the short message service X he wrote: “I’m very sorry for what happened.” The Japan Professional Baseball Players Association also wished Kawakami a speedy recovery.
The incident has sparked debate in Japan about safety measures for referees. The NPB has not yet commented on possible consequences.
