INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) - A boy was injured when he was struck by a foul ball that went into the right field stands during Saturday night's game between the Indianapolis Indians and Gwinnett Stripers at Victory Field.
The boy was not identified and the nature of his injuries is not available, but he was taken to the hospital, according to the team.
The Indians confirmed the injury in a statement to Eyewitness News:
Tonight a young fan was struck by a foul ball along the first base line. On-site EMT personnel provided treatment at the stadium and the fan was transported to the hospital. We are not able to disclose further details at this time. Our thoughts are with the entire family.
The Indians upgraded safety netting at Victory Field in 2017.
Joanna Allen says she and her family were sitting in the same section, just a few rows in front of the child.
“The guy struck the ball and it was kind of just a line drive that whizzed behind us,” said Allen. “Everybody was ducking and then, unfortunately, it struck the child and you could just hear a blood-curdling scream.”
Allen said she thinks there should be added safety measures at games to protect fans from foul balls.
“I wanted to take my granddaughter, but now I am hesitant to,” she said. “Maybe the nets being extended in some sense to protect the fans so that this doesn’t happen again."