The odds of getting hit in the head while sitting in the outfield seats may be one in a million, but just like boxing, when watching a baseball game you are expected to “always protect yourself.”
During the bottom of the first inning of the Mets’ 5-4 loss to the Diamondbacks on Sunday, a female fan was hit in the head by a leadoff home run by Ketel Marte, which struck her in the head.
Mets pitcher Jose Quintana threw a 78 mph curveball that Marte hit over the left-center field wall at 104 mph.
The fan attempted to catch the ball, but it appeared to slip through her hands and hit her in the head.
The ball then bounced toward the Mets’ home run apple in center field, and Arizona television coverage showed her holding her head while being supported by bystanders.
Mets staff appeared to quickly arrive to tend to the injured fan at Citi Field, but it’s unclear whether she received medical treatment for her injury.
It’s also unclear if the fans stayed there for the remainder of the game.
Sunday’s incident came on the heels of a Blue Jays fan revealing the terrifying experience of being hit by a 110 mph ball last month.
Blue Jays fan Liz Maguire posted photos from the aftermath of the incident showing her right eye swollen shut and a hematoma on her forehead.
She was treated by the team’s medical staff and then went to hospital for facial X-rays.
After the game, McGwire took to social media to say he didn’t receive the ball and asked the Blue Jays to “introduce me to a girl.”
In return, Topps Trading Cards had the opportunity to produce 100 baseball cards with her hematoma printed on them.
Marte inflicted further damage on the Mets with a game-winning, two-run homer off Jake Dieman in the ninth inning, providing the final run of the game.
