'Screaming Line Drive' Hits Girl In Face At Yankee Stadium

Todd Frazier reacts after a child was hit by a foul ball off his bat in the fifth inning against the Minnesota Twins on September 20, 2017 at Yankee Stadium.

A young girl was carried out of Yankee stadium by her grandfather and hospitalized yesterday after being struck by a line drive foul ball hit by Yankees third baseman Todd Frazier in the fifth inning. “That was a screaming line drive," one fan, who was seated several rows behind the girl along the third base line, told the NY Times. "I just wanted to cry for this little kid. There was so much blood." Broadcast video shows Frazier reacting with apparent dismay:

"It was terrible. I was shaken up," Frazier told NJ.com. "I don't know what happened. I just hope she's alright. It's tough to watch. It's tough to be a part of, honestly. At third base, I watch every foul ball that's hit very hard. Some of them don't hit anybody. It's just really unlucky. It's tough. I thought of my kids. I have two kids under three years old. I just hope she's alright."

The girl, whose named and age was not disclosed, was taken to New York-Presbyterian/Columbia Hospital. Her grandfather, a Yankees season ticket holder, later spoke to reporters there, telling the Times, "It’s too early to tell" if the girl will need surgery. One witness said the ball hit the girl in the mouth. Her current condition is not known.

In a statement, the Yankees said, "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 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 incident renewed calls for the Yankees to install protective netting to the ends of both dugouts. City Councilman Rafael L. Espinal Jr. introduced legislation requiring the netting in May, and a hearing is scheduled next month. Safety netting was expanded at ten ballparks this season, including at the Mets’ Citi Field.

"No one should ever go to a baseball game and leave severely injured,” Espinal said in a statement. “Nor should any player have to feel the guilt associated with injuring a fan, especially when that injury could have been prevented by safety nets.”

Frazier, the third basemen, said yesterday he thinks the netting should be expanded. "I think the nets should be up," Frazier told NJ.com. "I think every stadium should have it, but we're not at that point yet. Very unfortunate. I saw the whole thing. The dad—or whoever was with them—was trying his best to protect her. But the ball is going 120 MPH. It's tough."

The Times reports that this is at least the third time this season that a fan at Yankee Stadium was hit by a foul ball or a shattered bat. The Yankees press office has said the stadium is "seriously exploring" expanding the safety netting.