It’s dangerous out there

by
April 20, 2009

You read something horrifying like this and your second reaction — after the horror — is to wonder how on Earth Mike Coolbaugh and Ray Chapman are the only two folks to die by thrown or batted balls in professional play.

UPDATE: The estimable Mark Armour notes that (as I kind of suspected, actually, but was too lazy to research) I am undercounting provides a link to other on-the-field deaths. Here’s a link with a list, though neither Mark nor myself make any warranties for accuracy or completeness.


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Mark Armour
14 years ago

Actually, I believe there have been several (at least 10) minor league players killed in the line of fire.  Even that seems pretty fortunate though.

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Mark Armour
14 years ago

I found a list, though I can not vouch for its accuracy or completeness.
http://www.brendangrant.org/main_pages/tribute/trib_5hist_perspective.htm

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Kelly
14 years ago

Ryan Freel just got hit in the back of his head with a thrown ball.

Coincidences are weird.

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Wells
14 years ago

Was this in response to Ryan Freel getting nailed in the back of the head (ear) during a pick-off attempt?

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Jim Casey
14 years ago

I pitched for 15 years in the MSBL and NABA, and consider myself fortunate to have had just two close calls. One line drive back at me I caught with my glove right up against my nose, and the other I just managed to get my face out of the way before the ball hit me in the right shoulder and deflected into center field. I don’t recall witnessing any serious injuries in person, but a good friend of mine was at the game in Little Rock where Mike Coolbaugh was killed.

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Jim D.
14 years ago

I saw a lady take a line drive to the face while standing next to the dugout at a CCBL game about 15 years ago. Nasty. She was wearing glasses too so it was a mess.

Plus this guy is from that town that has been all over the news because all they make is RVs.

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