Cubs-Pirates Game Paused After Woman In Stands Hit By Ball

Last night's Cubs-Pirates game at PNC Park was halted for 23 minutes in the second inning after a woman standing near the screen behind home plate was "struck in the back of the head by a foul ball and taken to a hospital." The ball "did not go through the protective netting, but struck the woman standing close to the screen in the first row of seats" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 4/21). The Pirates in a statement said the woman was "conscious and alert" during the ambulance ride (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 4/21).

ESPN's Tim Kurkjian said, "I am amazed we don't have this more often. ... If you're ever behind the screen, don't get close enough where it can hit you through the screen. ... If you take your children to a game, you better bring a glove. You better protect them because that ball will hurt you badly if you're not paying attention. This is another example" ("Baseball Tonight," ESPN, 4/20).