Little Leaguers Don Uniforms, Pay Respect to Teammate Killed in Freak Accident

The streets of Byhalia, Mississippi, were fringed with small baseball uniforms Tuesday in remembrance of Lane Rodgers, a 10-year-old Little League player killed Saturday in a freak accident at a tournament in Tupelo, Mississippi.

LocalMemphis.com (h/t USA Today's Cam Smith) reports Lane was among the hundreds of young players evacuating the field due to a storm when a tree limb snapped overhead and struck him on its way to the ground.

The tragedy came as a huge blow to the Byhalia Little League, which Lane had been part of for years.

His passing brought players and members of the community together for a prayer vigil at Ballard Park in Tupelo on Sunday, and when it came time for Lane's funeral Tuesday, Little Leaguers from across Mississippi and as far as Tennessee showed up in uniform to line the streets for his procession.

Memphis, Tennessee, Fox affiliate WHBQ filmed footage of the moving roadside tribute. Teammates and former opponents alike stood shoulder to shoulder, hat in hand for Lane, who was buried in his Little League jersey.

"Lane loved all sports but especially baseball. That was his deal," said Terry Rodgers, Lane's grandfather. "He always wanted to play for Ole Miss so he could play for the pros."

The Byhalia Little League and greater community have banded together to support the Rodgers family and raise money for Lane's funeral expenses.