Fan falls to his death reaching for baseball thrown into crowd

A FAN of the Texas Rangers baseball team died after falling out of the stands while trying to catch a ball tossed his way during a game.

Television replays showed firefighter Shannon Stone, 39, falling head-first about 20 feet and landing behind the wall of a video scoreboard of the arena in Arlington, Texas.

Team president Nolan Ryan said later: "One of our fans lost their life reaching over the rail trying to get a ball.

"As an organisation, and as our team members and our staff, we're very heavy-hearted about this, and our thoughts and prayers go out to the family."

Ronnie Hargis was sitting in the stands next to the victim, who was at the game with his young son. The men were talking to each other before the accident.

Mr Hargis said: "He went straight down. I tried to grab him but I couldn't."

The accident happened when Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton retrieved a foul ball and tossed it into the stands.

Television replays showed the man reaching for the ball and apparently catching it before tumbling over.

"As any of us would be, Josh is very distraught over this, as the entire team is," Mr Ryan said.

Former president George W Bush was sitting in the front row at Rangers Park. There was an audible gasp in the stands when Mr Stone tumbled over the rail.