Cricket player Phillip Hughes passed away Thursday after being hit by a ball earlier this week, a tragedy that has overwhelmed folks in his native Australia and elsewhere. The sporting world is in shock.

Dean Jones writes about getting to know Hughes, while Hughes' extended family is encouraging teams to play on.

Hughes' death happened because of a terrible accident, a freak injury where a bouncing ball hit him in the side of the neck, just below the protective headgear he was wearing. That is why members of the Major League Baseball Players Association should discuss Hughes' injury and death when union chief Tony Clark makes his rounds in spring training.