Oceanside Player Dies After Asthma Attack

Ben Pai, a pitcher on the Oceanside High School baseball team, died Thursday night after suffering an asthma attack after playing in a recreational basketball game. He was 17.

Pai, a senior, had been playing basketball with friends at the Boys & Girls Club of Oceanside when he had the attack, authorities said. He was taken by Oceanside paramedics to Tri-City Medical Center in Oceanside, where he was pronounced dead at 10:19 p.m.

Pai was unconscious and was having difficulty breathing when he arrived at the hospital at 9:40 p.m., according to Jennifer Velez, public relations coordinator for the hospital. The attack progressed until he went into full cardiac arrest.

An autopsy conducted Friday by the San Diego County Coroner’s Office concluded that the cause of death was acute bronchial asthma, said Cal Vine, a deputy coroner.

Oceanside baseball Coach Dave Barrett said he was told by a team member who was at the game that Pai had been playing basketball for about 30 minutes when he left the court. Pai later was found unconscious by a teammate in a bathroom. It was not clear how long Pai was unconscious.

An emergency call was received at 9:02 p.m. and paramedics arrived 13 minutes later, authorities said. Pai was taken by ambulance to the hospital, where he arrived about 9:40 p.m.

Pai has had asthma since birth and had been taking medication for it regularly, said his mother, Edith Pai. She said Pai took his medication shortly before he collapsed. She said her son was under no medical restrictions regarding playing athletics.

Barrett said he was aware of Pai’s asthma. “He was always real conscientious about taking his medication,” Barrett said.

Teammates gathered at Barrett’s home Friday night to comfort each other after a Friday afternoon baseball game against Escondido High School was postponed because of Pai’s death. Barrett said a scheduled game Monday against El Camino High School at Oceanside likely will be played.

“As of now, we’re planning to play if the team wants to,” Barrett said. “We had a tough night (Thursday) and a tough day. Right now, we’re just trying to regroup.”

Pai had a 2-0 record with a 0.27 ERA for the Oceanside baseball team. Last year, his record was 2-1.

“This is a real loss,” Barrett said. “He had really blossomed into an outstanding pitcher and college prospect this year.”

Pai is survived by his parents, Benjamin Sr. and Edith Gail Pai of Oceanside; and two sisters, Kuuipo Pai, 23, and Lokelani Ozuna, 21.

Funeral arrangements have not been announced.