There was a scary moment in last night’s otherwise enjoyable game when Cubs second baseman Addison Russell lost his grip on the bat, sending it hurtling into the stands:
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You can’t see it on the video, but a fan was struck by the bat and required medical assistance. Thankfully, the early update on the fan is tentatively good:
An update on the fan injured during tonight's game. Thank you to everyone who has shared your concern. pic.twitter.com/MCXlOFJJiW
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) April 28, 2015
Hopefully there aren’t any serious injuries, and the fan will be all right. Cubs Chairman Tom Ricketts and Business President Crane Kenney were nearby and tried to help the fan until paramedics arrived (Tribune).
As for Russell, he understandably feels bad about what happened (Cubs.com). When he returned to his locker, the bat was there; he wants to sign it and give it to the fan, if possible.
This is just one of those things that happens, occasionally, at baseball games. How many times have you seen a bat – let alone the dozens of balls – fly into the stands and thought about how fortunate it was that no one was struck? It’s just a reminder to be vigilant when you’re seated anywhere close to the field (though even that won’t always be enough).
Well wishes to the fan who was hurt, and hopes for a speedy recovery.
The incident was the second for the Cubs in a week. In Pittsburgh, a fan was struck through the screen by a foul ball off of Starlin Castro’s bat. According to the Pirates, she was treated for injuries, but ultimately all right.