A St. Johns County youth sports organization is facing a lawsuit after a 7-year-old boy was struck in the face by a baseball during a skills evaluation in Ponte Vedra last year, according to a court complaint.
The case alleges that the child was attending a baseball evaluation on Aug. 17, 2025, at Davis Park.
According to the complaint, he had shown novice-level skills during earlier infield drills.
As part of the tryout, organizers placed him in center field about 160 feet from home plate and used a spring-loaded pitching machine to send fly balls into the outfield.
All participants took part in the activity.
The suit claims that the exercise was not an age-appropriate or safe method for a player of that age and experience level.
It alleges that a hand-toss method should have been used instead.
While the child was in the outfield, the complaint says, a ball launched by the machine traveled in his direction.
Because of his age, inexperience, and the ball’s speed and trajectory, he was unable to track it and was hit in the face and right eye, the case states.
They accuse the organization of negligence and argue it failed to use reasonable care in supervising a minor.
In response, attorneys for the organization argue that the claim is meritless, stating that participation in youth baseball involves inherent risks and that the child’s parents voluntarily allowed him to take part.
The complaint says the boy suffered injury, pain and suffering, and “mental anguish.”
The family is seeking unspecified damages in excess of $50,000, plus costs and other relief.
The case is ongoing.
