Fan struck by foul ball, taken off on stretcher at Wrigley

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

CHICAGO (AP) — A fan was struck by a line-drive foul ball and taken away on a stretcher in the first inning of Sunday's game between the Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves at Wrigley Field.

Kyle Schwarber lined a foul ball just beyond the camera well on the first base side, striking the fan. Cubs first base coach Brandon Hyde reacted by putting his hands on his helmet after he saw the fan get hit.

The game was briefly stopped as fans and ushers waved for medics.

On Friday, a female fan in Detroit was injured by a foul ball behind the Tigers dugout.

FULL story at link.


Read more: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/7600b735aa024cc19a089da63dbe7394/fan-struck-foul-ball-taken-stretcher-wrigley

[PeteSelman]

1. Pay attention at all times.

Getting whacked with a line drive is no joke.

[Blue_Tires]

3. +1

[bluestateguy]

5. And you are right

But for a little old lady or a person with mobility issue that won't be of much help.

[nichomachus]

2. If you're at rhe ballpark, stay off your cellphone

I'm not saying that was the case here, but if you watch a ballgame, half the people in the stands are texting, posting on FB, tweeting, whatever. That's dangerous. Watch the freaking ball. If you're not going to watch the game, stay home.

[edgineered]

4. While at a softball game with the journalist from the ship,

a batter popped one up into the stands along the third base line. My friend tucked his face into his lap and wrapped his hands over his head. After the ball was caught he sat up, looked at me, and stated that he will never understand why everyone looks up when they know the ball is coming right at them. I looked for a name in the article out of curiosity.

[liberal N proud]

6. When you go to these events, you must realize the risks

The ball is hard, it is traveling at a high rate of speed. If you don't want to watch the game, then you shouldn't be at the stadium.

All the crap about protecting the fans is bullshit, this game has been played for years and fans have been hit for years, it is the risk you take when you sit in the stands. If you don't want to take that risk, go watch a chess match.

[Frank Cannon]

7. Read about Hall of Famer Richie Ashburn

Who, in 1957, broke a woman's nose with a foul ball and then hit her again as she was being carried off in a stretcher.

http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2011/06/hall-of-famer-richie-ashburn-once-struck-a-spectator-with-foul-balls-twice-in-the-same-at-bat-the-second-time-as-she-was-being-carried-off-on-a-stretcher/

[Blue_Tires]

8. Damn... I heard that story, but thought it was an urban legend...