Recent issue of the Woodinville Weekly newspaper an article
was written on my Grandson's recovery from his injuries hit
in the face with a line drive while in the batter's circle.
I would like to thank those responsible for the article. The
writer Derek Johnson Sports writer. The color photo of Brent
ironically taken courtesy of Craig Lemke. Only because his son
a friend of Brent's was the batter who hit the ball that exploded
into Brent's eye and the year long recovery period afterwards.
Having read more than one article written by reporter Johnson
I find his work very skilled. So what I write is mostly taken
from his words. I have edited out names. Any inadvertent mis-
spelling would be my own typing errors:
As 15 year old Brent Donlan stepped into the on deck circle his
life was about to be shattered. It was June 6, 2012, in a summer
league game between Woodinville and FM Sports. Batting fifth in
the order, Donlan took a couple of easy practice swings, standing
in direct view of home plate. Then he glanced away for just a
moment--that's when it happened. (What not in the article Brent
was having an outstanding beginning to his season. First two games of
the season on base seven times in eight at bats.)
"As my teammate hit the ball I turned and saw the ball like three
inches from my face. I fell down immediately. I was kinda in shock.
My coach ran up and was cupping pools of blood with his hands. He was
really supportive but unsure of what to do."
Shrieks of horror rang out from the crowd and one of the coaches herded
players from both teams into the outfield to shield them from the view.
An ambulance was called for. Brent's first inclination was to get up,
Telling his coach, "I can walk this off!"
Brent's parents, (not mentioned in the article Mom a Doctor) could not
wait for the ambulance. At times eighty-five miles an hour in and out of
traffic he was taken to the Hospital where a family friend and Doctor
were awaiting his arrival) Brent's face was a mess. His eye swollen four
inches and it was multiple shades of black, blue, red and purple. Both
eyes swollen shut and the imprint of the ball was in his cheeks.
Officially the injury was diagnosed as with a fractured orbital socket
of the right eye. Three weeks later he had surgery, "I was just going
with the flow", staying positive He had faith in the Doctor. Still for
a while Brent fell into deep depression, "I was thinking that I wouldn't
be able to play sports again." He was welcomed as a visitor but it was hard
to sit and watch the games. "My football buddies were telling me how much
fun they were having at camps." A year away from football.
People rallied in support. "My classmates made me a big card with a bunch
of signatures. Coaches brought audio books because he could not see to read.
His spirits lifted when told a spot was saved for him on the 2013 summer
league. Six weeks later Doctor's cleared Brent to exercise. He'd dropped
from 159 pounds to 140 pounds. Brent began working with weights and then
a personal trainer. After playing on Woodinville JV baseball his bat was
slowly returning. Now sixteen Brent is entering his Junior year. He has
grown to 6'2" and a 175 pounds. Allowed to play football he is on the Varsity
as a safety and Tight end. His right eye is lower than his left although
hardly noticeable. Glaucoma is a possibility as he grows older. But this
year on the summer team he batter .413 with nine doubles second on the team.
It was during the recent Alaska Legion tournament he knew he was back.
"I face a lefty who threw around 90 MPH. We had never seen a a pitcher like
that." A teammate was on third and Brent was 0-2."I got his fastball and hit
a sharp grounder between first and second and drove in a run. I knew I was
back."
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