04/19/24
September 05, 2009
Child's Skull Fractured by Foul Ball: A four-year-old boy was struck by a foul ball and suffered a fractured skull Wednesday at a Mahoning Valley [Ohio] Scrappers minor league game. Luke Holko, 4, was sitting with his family in the first row of the first base line, according to media reports, and is hospitalized in critical condition as doctors wait for his brain swelling to subside.
I totally agree. There should be an age restriction for being in the first few rows of the stands; kids old enough to catch/dodge a ball/bat should be free to sit there, but a four year old? Asking for trouble.
That said, I hope the kid recovers speedily.
posted by dfleming at 10:41 AM on September 05, 2009
Just went to a Reno Aces game with my 10 yr old. Watched some cookin line drives fly at the people down the baseline (we were behind the screen) and thought "you'd better be paying attention to the game at all times if your sitting down there". A high fly is one thing but a line drive to the inattentive melon is something else.
I hope the child is ok and doesnt suffer any permanent damage.
posted by firecop at 11:04 AM on September 05, 2009
Yeah, we were just at a Kane County Cougars game and thought the same. I told my wife to always have an eye on the batter, even if you were talking to someone on the other side. We were about four rows up, just past third base. A bit too close for my comfort with my three-year old sitting next to me.
posted by opel70 at 04:25 PM on September 05, 2009
Hitting a fan with a foul ball: sport or not a sport?
posted by yerfatma at 11:34 AM on September 06, 2009
Hope the kid recovers fully and quickly.
While every stadium I've been to has posted numerous warnings about foul balls, etc., I still see people at every game that are not paying attention when a batter is up. Cell phones, kids, the converation with the person to the other side, the beer vendor (okay, that might be a worthwhile distraction), all add up to a dangerous situation.
posted by dviking at 05:04 PM on September 06, 2009
I had a close call at a Jacksonville Suns game when I took my sons a few years ago. A ball struck a concrete wall a foot below us, and by the time we reacted it was too late to have done anything about it.
I love going to games, but with young kids I'd never sit too close -- especially at smaller minor league parks where you can be right on top of the game.