There was a scary scene in Comerica Park Friday night, as a line-drive foul ball off the bat of Anthony Gose struck a fan in the right temple. Play was delayed for roughly 10 minutes as paramedics tended to the woman before taking her out on a stretcher.
According to a team spokesperson, she was evaluated at the stadium’s first-aid facility, then transported to Detroit Receiving Hospital for further evaluation and X-rays.
“She was conscious and alert,” said Ron Colangelo, the team’s vice president of communications. “At this point, the ballclub will follow up with the family in the morning to get an update, check on how she’s doing.”
As can be seen, she took a shot:
Scary moment at Tigers-Rangers game as a fan was hit by a foul ball, carted out on stretcher. http://t.co/BYZmqR0oFF pic.twitter.com/STKqZ1vSQv
— 120 Sports (@120Sports) August 22, 2015
This is yet another in a string of fans being struck either with broken bats or rocket liners this season. With the pitchers throwing harder than ever and the strength of the hitters, exit velocity on line drives is increasing and making it even more difficult to anyone to get out of the way.
Justin Verlander, among other Tigers, notes that even the players can't avoid being hit.
JV: "Those low liners, they catch us off guard in the dugout and we’re Major League Baseball players. We still get hit."
— Matthew B. Mowery (@matthewbmowery) August 22, 2015
More protective measures need to be put in place in all ball parks! Players are sick of seeing injuries that could easily be avoided!
— Justin Verlander (@JustinVerlander) August 22, 2015
I hope the fan tonight is okay! #getwellsoon @MLB should make changes before it's too late #dontwaittoolate
— Justin Verlander (@JustinVerlander) August 22, 2015
Many MLB players throughout the season have advocated the teams extending the nets behind home plate a bit down the foul lines to better protect fans. In Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball, the nets go all the way to the foul poles.
