How many people have died during an active season in one of the 4 major sports since that sport's inception?

Question

I'm talking deaths that are related to the sport. If a hockey player died of a car accident, I'm not interested...I want deaths that were a direct result of something that happened on the field, rink, or court. Thanks.

Answer 1

Ray Chapman was hit in the head during a baseball game, later died from that.  Mike Coolbaugh was hit in the head by a foul line drive,  but he was the first base coach.  A hockey fan was killed by a puck that hit her in the head, but she's also not a player.  I can't think of anymore right now.

EDIT: Bill Masterton is the only NHL player to die due to an on-ice incident.  Got checked and hit the back of his head on the ice.  

Nearly all of these kind of deaths result in some kind of rule change or safety regulation.