Taylor Dorman, Calif. teenager, dies after he's hit by softball on his 16th birthday

San Diego, California News Station - KFMB Channel 8 - cbs8.com

RAMONA, Calif. Officials say a boy in San Diego County died after being hit in the chest with a softball during his high school physical education class on his 16th birthday.

Friends tell CBS affiliate KFMB-TV that sophomore Taylor Dorman was hit with a ball during a game of "Over The Line" in P.E. class Wednesday. Witnesses say Dorman was still awake and talking after being hit and seemed fine.

About 20 minutes later, according to friends and faculty at the school, Dorman collapsed.

Superintendent Bob Graeff says the coach called 911. Paramedics arrived quickly, and were able to stabilize Dorman before he was flown to a hospital.

Graeff says Dorman died a few hours later.

Before he collapsed, officials say Dorman continued to play and even made a joke to the student who hit the ball.

Friends told KFMB they were planning a birthday party for Dorman this weekend, and are devastated that they will be attending his funeral instead.

"He was always happy and always smiling," one classmate told the station. "And even when it was a bad day he would always bring just so much happiness."