THE SIDELINES : Pitcher, 20, Collapses and Dies

A 20-year-old minor league pitcher died of a heart attack after collapsing during a game.

Hospital officials confirmed the death of Gastonia’s Ronaldo Romero, who collapsed during the third inning of Monday night’s Class A South Atlantic League game at Fayetteville’s J. P. Riddle Stadium.

Romero was taken to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, where Fayetteville Police Lt. William Barefoot said he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Romero, the starting pitcher in Monday night’s game, collapsed in the dugout about 8 p.m.

“As for why it happened, nobody knows,” said Fayetteville trainer Steve Carter. “They said he came off the mound and came in holding his chest and hyperventilating and collapsed,” Carter said.

The game was suspended about 9 p.m. and is to be resumed tonight.