BATTING LESSON

Shelly Slater reports

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PLANO - A Plano West varsity player suffered bruising of the brain and fractured facial bones after he was hit by a baseball while not wearing a helmet in a batting cage.

The accident is eerily similar to another incident that resulted in the death of teenager his exact age.

While there are rules that require people to wear a helmet while in batting cages, 17-year-old Clint Rupp wasn't wearing one when he was hit by a ball traveling 80 mph.

"The way it hit me, I probably should have died," he said.

After the accident, Rupp was monitored for days at Parkland Hospital.

"They said the brain is unpredictable and they needed to have him prepared for surgery in five minutes if something was to happen," said Kati Rupp, Clint's mother.

Two years ago, Chris Gavora, a 17-year-old Grapevine student, was killed when a freak line drive passed through an opening in two batting cages. Gavora wasn't wearing a helmet, which is why there are now mandatory helmet rules.

"I can't imagine what those parents do everyday thinking about that and then seeing other kids do the same, still," Rupp said.

"Coaches are required to conduct inspections of all batting tunnels on an ongoing basis to identify any potential safety concerns," said Plano Independent School District.

However, the day of Rupp's accident, coaches were on the field when Rupp decided he wanted to hit one more ball.

"After two or three seconds it went blurry and I fell," Rupp said.

Rupp blacked out. When he woke up, Rupp said he definitely learned a lesson the hard way.

"Wear a helmet because life can come and go," he said. "You never know."

Doctors say it could take up to six months for Rupp to be able to play again. Meanwhile, Rupp is on anti-seizure medicine and is being monitored closely.

E-mail sslater@wfaa.com