Hundreds of Winslow citizens and Little League fans, players, coaches and officials crowded into and around Vargas Field the evening of June 1 to mourn and honor Hayden Walton, a 13-year-old player who died after a tragic accident during a Little League game the night before. There may have been over a thousand people in attendance.
Winslow Little League President Dale Thomas was one of many who addressed the crowd and told the details of the tragedy.
He said that Hayden had been batting and squared to bunt on an attempted squeeze play. He was hit in the chest and, according to the umpire, awarded first base. He got up and started in that direction, but fell. He was immediately attended by many and everything that could be done was done before he was taken for more medical attention. He died the following morning at Flagstaff Medical Center.
Medical sources have indicated that this is a very rare type of accident that is very difficult to deal with. It is thought that everything which could be done was done, and the event was a most horrible accident.
Hayden was known to be an excellent athlete, and a well-liked and admired person. He will be sorely missed by his parents, relatives and friends. The size of the crowd at the ceremonies was most impressive, as there was almost no publicity regarding the accident or the ceremony.
A banner was on display at the ceremony with pictures of Hayden and the statement, “In loving memory. Hayden Walton #15. We will always love and remember you. Our Forever Angel in the Outfield.”
