Chelal Matos, 12, a Chancellor Middle School student, died after being struck while playing baseball in Spotsylvania, said 1st Sgt. Liz Scott of the Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office.
A second boy, who is 11, was taken to Mary Washington Hospital and was then airlifted to VCU Medical Center in Richmond. Scott said the youngster was in "very grave, critical condition."
Debbie Tellier, whose 12-year-old son played on the same Little League team as Matos, said the umpires had called a 30-minute lightning break shortly before 6 last night, but there hadn't been an actual storm.
"There was a little lightning strike," she said. "But it looked like it was getting ready to clear up."
Tellier said there were a few white clouds in the sky when Matos and the 11-year-old boy were tossing the ball around in left field, but no one expected lightning.
She said many of the other parents and players were gathered in the parking lot, expecting the game to start back shortly.
Tellier said while she didn't see the lightning strike, her husband was facing toward it.
"It came out of nowhere," she said. "He just saw dirt flying and smoke and someone yelled that two boys were down."
She said Matos' dad immediately ran toward his son, yelling for someone to call 911.
Tellier said the young ball player was loved by his teammates, adding that he was very friendly and an extremely nice and polite boy.
She said that the 11-year-old boy is very outgoing and the 12-person team had become very close in their time together playing baseball.
- Ellen Biltz, The Free Lance-Star