Friends and supporters of a veteran player in gay Atlanta softball leagues are rallying to his side as he remains hospitalized after a freak accident during a weekend game.
Stephen Reis was hit in the throat by a line drive during a Southern Softpaw League game on Saturday, according to Thomas McKay (photo left), who coaches Reis on the Blue Angels. Reis was pitching when the accident took place at Southside Park in southeast Atlanta.
He was transported to Northside Hospital, where he remained in the Intensive Care Unit until he was moved into a regular room on Monday, McKay said. Supporters launched a Go Fund Me Campaign on Sunday to help pay for out of pocket health and living expenses for Reis.
Via Stephen's Recovery Effort:
An unfortunate accident happened yesterday in our first game. Stephen Reis, our pitcher and my friend for many years, was injured in a softball accident yesterday, getting hit in the throat with a line drive while pitching. Stephen was sent to the ER where he was diagnosed with a serious throat injury and since he was having trouble breathing due to the swelling, fracture and hematoma, a tracheotomy was performed allowing him to breath better where he is now recovering in ICU. Stephen will have to spend several days in the hospital and many more recovering from his injuries.
The fund has received 44 donations totaling $2,705. Organizers hope to raise $10,000 to help Reis ¬– who is self-employed and has health insurance – pay his insurance deductible and living expenses while he recuperates.
McKay told Project Q late Monday that Reis still suffers from swelling in his throat and isn't able to speak. A tracheotomy tube remains in place. But he is slowly recovering, McKay added.
“He is doing better and is hungry, which is a good sign,” McKay said.
Reis also plays on the Ball Busters in the Hotlanta Softball League.
The full announcement from the Go Fund me campaign:
Hello softball friends and family,
I am Thomas McKay, coach and manager of the Blue Angels and BallBusters softball teams here in Atlanta.
An unfortunate accident happened yesterday in our first game. Stephen Reis, our pitcher and my friend for many years, was injured in a softball accident yesterday, getting hit in the throat with a line drive while pitching. Stephen was sent to the ER where he was diagnosed with a serious throat injury and since he was having trouble breathing due to the swelling, fracture and hematoma, a tracheotomy was performed allowing him to breath better where he is now recovering in ICU. Stephen will have to spend several days in the hospital and many more recovering from his injuries.
Stephen is an active member of the softball community in Atlanta, participating in several leagues around town including several co-ed leagues, and loves the game he has been playing for decades. Anyone who knows Stephen likes him, he is one of the nicest guys around the field, and he always has something funny to say and is never down. Stephen has played on several teams throughout the years including those mentioned above, as well as the Pink Cadets and The Sharks.
Stephen is self-employed and works very hard for a living. Fortunately, Stephen has insurance but he will need a lot of help paying his deductible and other living expenses while he is out of work recovering from the injury.
This gofundme is a plea to all of you to please pitch in, whatever you can would be great, and help us help Stephen with his bills and insurance. It's times like these that the Atlanta softball community needs to come together and rally around a player and cause. I assure you the money will be given to Stephen to help him in his recovery.
Thank you and get well soon, Stephen!
[photo via]
