A wooden dugout fell Monday, burying 19-year-old Angel Mercado-Ocasio. 19-year-old Harrisburg resident Angel Mercado-Ocasio died Tuesday night from traumatic brain damage. At Harrisburg’s 7th and Radnor ball park, a makeshift dugout crashed on him Monday, injuring him.
“Angel had the biggest heart,” said Alejandro Escudero, Angel’s buddy. “He was an innocent kid—I just wonder why it had to be him.” Angel, his coach, and a few pals dismantled the dugout they erected before their leisure league baseball game when the city denied them permission. “Nobody wants to be a knucklehead,” said Angels coach Gerardo Diaz. “I waited, but taking it down killed my kid.” Coach Cuba, Diaz, stated the young players were laughing while removing the dugout.
Regrets ignoring them. “I tried to protect him,” he said. Kids will be kids. Still accountable.” His recreation team and Central Penn College second baseman was Mercado-Ocasio. College statement: Angel’s death shook Central Penn College. As friends who have become family, we mourn the sad loss of a gifted young athlete who helped others enjoy his sport.
Indescribable anguish. Our baseball team said farewell to Angel yesterday. Angel’s death and existence will transform us. Angel’s family, friends, teammates, and coaches will miss him most. FOX43 said Angel was hardworking and kind. “[Angel was] the first guy on the field, always looked out [for others], gave people rides, shared with everybody…that was my angel,” Coach Cuba said emotionally. Harrisburg’s mayor extended condolences on Wednesday.
Mayor Williams said he died helping others play his favorite sport. It’s tragic. We must remember Angel, who welcomed many.” The mayor: Angel Mercado-Ocasio’s death is tragic. Loss alters us. Ours hurts more. Angel was a talented Harrisburg Cougar. He died for sports enthusiasts. It’s tragic. We must honor Angel. As we suffer this impossibly terrible time, please pray for his family, friends, and teammates. Harrisburg prays.
Escudero wants Coach Cuba to forgive himself. “He thinks it’s his fault, but I feel like it’s not,” Escudero said. Since he constructed it and the city told him to, the city should have pulled it down.” Wednesday saw no city lawsuits. Director of Communications Matt Maisel stated the city will not sue the players or coach.
