A young girl was hit by a foul ball off the bat of third baseman Todd Frazier in the fifth inning of the New York Yankees’ home game against the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday afternoon.
The girl, who was seated in Section 026 down the third-base line, was taken to Columbia Presbyterian Hospital as players — including Frazier — were visibly distraught.
“I saw the whole thing,” said Frazier, who kneeled outside the batter’s box with his head bowed.
“I know the dad or whoever was with her was trying their hardest but when that ball’s coming 120 miles an hour at them and the ball’s hooking and you’ve never seen a ball like that, which most people in the world haven’t, it’s tough.”
Matt Holliday was seen wiping away tears as the girl received medical attention.
“The child who was struck with a batted ball today was given first aid at the ballpark and is receiving medical attention at an area hospital,” the Yankees said in a statement. “The federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, known as HIPAA, prevents the team from giving more information. We will have no further comment at this time.”
The protective netting at Yankee Stadium ends at the home plate side of each dugout. The Yankees said in July that they are “seriously exploring” extending the netting for 2018.
“You hate to see anyone get hit like that,” Yankees manager Joe Girardi said after the team’s 11-3 win. “I don’t know if the netting was expanded if they still don’t get hit. How far does it go? That’s something up above, they make the decisions on. But it’s sad when you see people get hit. I’ve seen it as a catcher. It’s something that I think everyone is looking into.”
“I just saw it from the dugout,” New York left-hander CC Sabathia said. “I feel like we need to get the net. I think every ballpark should have it.
Minnesota second baseman Brian Dozier is in favor of extending the protective netting.
“It’s all up to the owners,” Dozier said. “I don’t want to get ahead of myself and say the wrong thing but we’re definitely trying to get everybody to do it. I know we implemented it, Target Field being the closest to home plate. We put up a little rule that a certain amount of distance you got to have one. But I say put them all the way down, all the way down.”
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