Officials and the family of Jeremy Medina Wednesday provided an update on the Gainesville High School baseball player's health status as he has been in a coma since the incident on Nov. 20.
Jeremy Medina was practicing in the batting cages at Gainesville High School when he was reportedly accidentally struck in the head by a baseball bat at approximately 1:20 p.m., according to spokeswoman Joy Griffin.
Medina, who is the starting pitcher and catcher for the Gainesville High School baseball team, has remained in a coma ever since the incident.
Medina is a senior at the high school and has played on the varsity team since his junior year, Principal Jamie Green noted.
“A small group of players were working on hitting drills in the indoor batting facility,” Green said. “Players were hitting balls from the tee in one of the two netted areas … Jeremy approached the netting as another player was hitting from the tee. As the player followed through on his swing, Jeremy leaned into the net and was struck in the head. There was no horseplay, no misconduct.”
Coaches and staff were reportedly in the immediate vicinity when the incident occurred, and assisted in getting Hall County EMTs on the scene to help Medina.
Green also indicated that counseling services were provided to the baseball team following the incident in order to provide adequate support to everyone involved.
Dr. Michael Cormican, the trauma surgeon presiding over Medina’s care at the hospital, was also present during Wednesday evening’s press conference.
“His care has been a collaboration of multiple teams, including the trauma team, neurosurgery team and our neurocritical care team,” Cormican said. “All of us, combined with our fantastic nursing staff, have really done a great job to do all we can to provide top-notch care to Jeremy and to support his family.”
Currently, Medina is still in a coma and in critical condition, with many delicate and unpredictable aspects to care for, according to Cormican.
Medina has intentions of going on to play baseball in college, and has even fielded offers, his father said to the press Wednesday night amid a heartfelt address about Medina’s strong will and goal-oriented attitude.
Medina is also a current National Society High School Scholar and was praised for his ability to perform both on the field for the baseball team and in the classroom with his academics.
The Medina family and the Gainesville City School System reiterated that there was no ill will or malicious intent in the accident, and they expressed immense gratitude to the Gainesville community for their continued support.
Those looking to support Medina’s recovery efforts can do so by clicking here.
