A Vancouver Island man who was put on life support after he was struck by a softball has died from a head injury.

Chris Godfrey, 32, was hit in the back of the head by a ball thrown by the shortstop while Godfrey was running for first base at a Comox Valley Slopitch League (CVSL) game on Aug. 20.

He was flown from Courtenay, B.C., to a hospital in Victoria and placed on life support, but he never recovered.

Godfrey's death has come as a shock to those who knew him, according to CVSL president Adrienne Elliott.

"It has actually been quite devastating," she told CBC News. "Yes, we all call it a freak accident, but at the same time, we all learned something really important here."

Chris Godfrey was struck in the head with a softball during a tournament. He was not wearing a helmet at the time. (CHEK News)

Godfrey's injury has prompted the league to require helmets for players of all ages. Elliott said other recreational leagues in B.C. are talking about following suit.

"Helmets are so important, and you know what? If it gives you a chance of being able to play ball the next day, it's so worth it," she said.

Godfrey leaves behind a wife and a one-year-old daughter. Friends learned about his death on Tuesday but chose to forge ahead with an all-day fundraising event for the family.

"We still need to think of him, think of his wife and his daughter. We're there to support them and they need our support more than ever now," Elliott said.

More than 100 people attended a vigil in Comox to support Godfrey's family last week.