Umpire Kawakami regains consciousness after being hit in the head by a bat, ``Go back to the stadium and referee''

The Japan Baseball Organization announced on the 16th that umpire Takuto Kawakami (30), who was seriously injured when he was hit in the head by a batter's bat in April, has regained consciousness.

He released a message from his family and reported, ``The doctor in charge has determined that it is safe to assume that he has regained consciousness.He is now able to talk and eat, and although he is not without any after-effects, he is working on rehabilitation every day to recover.''

He reportedly told those who came to visit him that he wanted to return to the stadium and become an umpire.

Umpire Kawakami was serving as a pitch umpire for the Yakult-DeNA game held at Jingu Stadium on April 16, when he was hit directly on the side of the head by a bat that left a player's hand. He was rushed to the hospital and underwent surgery. Even after being transferred from the intensive care unit to a general ward, he did not regain consciousness for a long time and continued treatment.

Umpire Kawakami was umpiring pitches for the first team for the first time that day.

In response to this injury, professional baseball began requiring umpires to wear helmets at all games.

Additionally, players who make ``dangerous swings'' will be given a warning or sent off.