Nationwide — Mitchell Huggins, a 61-year-old African American man from Sumter, South Carolina, who served as an umpire for youth softball video games, died over the weekend after collapsing throughout a heatwave whereas officiating a match at Patriot Park.
Huggins was working a youth softball match on Saturday when he collapsed on the sector. His sister, Pamela Rufus, mentioned he briefly regained consciousness throughout a FaceTime name however handed out once more shortly after. He was rushed to the hospital, the place he was later pronounced useless.
Rufus mentioned her brother had talked about the warmth however was nonetheless desperate to attend. Umpiring had been his ardour for over a decade. Youngsters and fogeys on the video games usually referred to as him “Uncle Mitch” or “Mr. Mitch.”
“That was his entire ardour… that was his second dwelling,” his sister advised WMBF Information. “He cherished these children.”
Individuals on the sector instantly tried to assist. As efforts to revive him started, others began praying. The Sumter County Coroner’s Workplace confirmed that warmth contributed to his dying. Temperatures have been unusually excessive that day, main many dad and mom to query why the match hadn’t been postponed or canceled.
Sumter County issued a brief assertion asking for prayers for the Huggins household. Match organizers haven’t responded publicly. Rufus believes her brother’s dying might have been averted and hopes it brings extra consideration to the hazards of heat-related sicknesses.
Huggins was additionally lively with Prime Gun Sports activities, a nonprofit that helps youth athletes. Rufus mentioned the group was like household to him and one other a part of his life that introduced him pleasure.
In the meantime, a GoFundMe web page has been set as much as assist his household cowl funeral bills throughout this difficult time.
