Was first alerted to this in the daily Minor League thread, but wanted to post this update in it's own diary.

Only 35 years old.  Very, very sad - Thoughts and prayers to his family, friends, players and especially Tino Sanchez.  Tragic.

Drillers' first base coach dies after being hit by foul ball

Coolbaugh had been on team's staff a short time

By Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

The first base coach of the Tulsa Drillers died after being struck by a foul ball during a game at Dickey-Stephens Park on Sunday night, officials confirmed.

Mike Coolbaugh was hit in the side of the head during in the top of ninth inning with Drillers player Tino Sanchez at bat. Coolbaugh collapsed to the ground and lay there motionless as medical personnel and team members came to his side. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed on the field.

Coolbaugh, 35, then was transported to Baptist Health Medical Center in North Little Rock. He was pronounced dead a short time later, according to Sgt. Terry Kuykendall, spokesman for the North Little Rock Police Department.

According to the Tulsa Drillers Web site, Coolbaugh joined the team on July 3.

The game was suspended with the Arkansas Travelers leading 7-3 with no outs in the ninth inning.

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This article was published Sunday, July 22, 2007.