Man dies after softball hits him in the chest

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A 59-year-old man died Saturday afternoon after he was struck in the chest by a softball at a northwest suburban park, according to a spokesman for the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office.

Jose Rodriguez was struck in the chest by a softball at 222 S. Wolf Rd. in Wheeling, officials said. He was taken to Glenbrook Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 1:04 p.m., according to the medical examiner’s office.

The incident happened at Heritage Park, according to Wheeling Police. Police responded to assist an ambulance that was called to the scene, but police as of Saturday night did not have any further details on the incident. A Wheeling Fire Department Battalion Chief said there was no fire response to that location.

Rodriguez lived in Franklin Park, according to the medical examiner’s office. An autopsy to determine the exact cause and manner of death is expected to be held on Sunday.