I love baseball. It is not only my favorite sport, but one of my passions.

My kids play ball. We watch baseball on TV. We go to MLB games. Heck, we’re even stalking the new minor league team stadium being built less than 3 miles from our house. Stoked, I tell you.

Yesterday was a sad, sad day in baseball.

Texas Rangers Fan and firefighter, Shannon Stone and his 6 year old son, Cooper, were attending a game at the Ballpark.  Cooper was looking forward to the game, because their seats were right behind out fielder Josh Hamilton.

In the second inning, Hamilton tossed a baseball up to Shannon Stone, and he stumbled over the railing, falling 20 feet in front of his son.  Sadly, two hours later, he died from injuries due to trauma to his head.

My heart goes out to the widow and son of Shannon Stone.  I could not imagine going through this on a day that is meant to be a fun and happy day at the ballpark for a father and son.

Cooper Stone is a big fan of Josh Hamilton, and according to his grandmother, he and his dad were at the game for one reason – to catch a ball.