Introduction to the Incident
Rays pitcher Hunter Bigge was carted off the field in a frightening scene and taken to a hospital after getting struck in the face by a foul ball lined into the Tampa Bay dugout Thursday night.
The Accident Details
Bigge, a 27-year-old right-hander currently on the injured list with a lat strain, was placed on a backboard and gave a thumbs up before being driven by ambulance to a nearby hospital for tests. He never lost consciousness and was able to converse with first responders, Rays manager Kevin Cash said.
Cause of the Accident
The ball in question was put into play in the top of seventh inning off the bat of Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman who sharply pulled a pitch into the Tampa Bay dugout on the first base side.
Emergency Response
Emergency medical personnel quickly arrived to attend to Bigge. After several quiet minutes, as visibly concerned Rays players knelt in the field, Bigge was loaded onto a stretcher and carted off.
Post-Accident Game Resume
After the game, Cash said Bigge was struck in the face. The ball left Rutschman’s bat at 105 mph, according to Statcast. Bigge received a standing ovation from the Steinbrenner Field crowd as he was loaded onto a cart. The MLB game resumed after an eight-minute delay, and Baltimore held on for a 4-1 victory.
Player Background
Bigge was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 12th round of the 2019 amateur draft from Harvard and made his major league debut for them on July 9 last year. He was traded 19 days later to Tampa Bay along with Christopher Morel and minor leaguer Ty Johnson for All-Star third baseman Isaac Paredes.
Career Statistics
Bigge has a 2.51 ERA and one save in 32 career appearances. He has a 2.40 ERA this season in 13 relief outings.
Conclusion
The incident involving Hunter Bigge is a stark reminder of the risks involved in professional sports, particularly in baseball where foul balls can travel at high speeds and cause significant injury. The support from the crowd and the swift action by the medical team are commendable. It’s crucial for the safety measures to be continuously evaluated and improved to prevent such incidents in the future.
FAQs
- Q: What happened to Hunter Bigge during the game?
A: Hunter Bigge was hit in the face by a foul ball and was hospitalized for tests. - Q: Who hit the foul ball that struck Bigge?
A: The foul ball was hit by Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman. - Q: What was the speed of the ball when it left Rutschman’s bat?
A: The ball left Rutschman’s bat at 105 mph, according to Statcast. - Q: What is Bigge’s current status with the Tampa Bay Rays?
A: Bigge is currently on the injured list with a lat strain. - Q: How long was the game delayed after the incident?
A: The game was delayed for eight minutes before resuming.
