Veteran umpire Hunter Wendelstedt was taken to a hospital for further examination after being struck in the face by a foul ball during the New York Mets vs. Minnesota Twins game on Wednesday. The incident occurred in the seventh inning when Mets center fielder Tyrone Taylor hit a line drive that slammed directly into Wendelstedt’s face behind first base.
The 53-year-old umpire immediately fell to the ground after the impact, and both Taylor and Minnesota’s right-hander Louis Varland showed visible concern, wincing as they saw where the ball had struck Wendelstedt. The umpire, who is in his 28th Major League season, received attention from the Twins’ medical staff and was able to walk off the field slowly, pressing a towel against the left side of his head.
Crew chief Todd Tichenor spoke to reporters after the game, saying that Wendelstedt was coherent and speaking, though he was undergoing concussion protocol. “Hopefully, it’s just some stitches, is what I’m thinking,” Tichenor added. Wendelstedt was then taken to the hospital for additional tests.
While Wendelstedt was on the ground for about a minute, his fellow umpires were visibly shaken by the incident. MLB released a statement expressing that they were encouraged by Wendelstedt’s good spirits when in touch with the medical staff and would continue to monitor his status.
Second-base umpire Adam Hamari moved to first base for the remainder of the game, filling in for Wendelstedt, who had to leave. The incident left players and staff alike shaken. “It made us all stop and think,” said Tichenor. “That hit him solid in the head. It was scary.”
Minnesota’s first baseman Ty France expressed his concern, saying, “It happened so fast. Just praying for a speedy recovery for him because you never want to see something like that happen.” Twins manager Rocco Baldelli also shared his well-wishes, saying, “I would like to wish him the best and say we're all thinking about him. I was glad to see him walk off the field under his own power. That was better than the alternative. We hope he's OK.”
This incident highlights the risks of being on the field, as MLB has required base coaches to wear helmets since 2008, following the tragic death of Mike Coolbaugh, who was killed by a line drive while coaching first base in a minor league game. However, Tichenor does not believe umpires need to start wearing helmets, pointing out, “This one was just 100 mph off the bat. We’re taught to go opposite the ball. He just went into the ball. It happens. We all do it. It just doesn’t hit him in the head usually.”
Wendelstedt’s condition remains under close observation, and everyone is hoping for a full and speedy recovery.
The 53-year-old umpire immediately fell to the ground after the impact, and both Taylor and Minnesota’s right-hander Louis Varland showed visible concern, wincing as they saw where the ball had struck Wendelstedt. The umpire, who is in his 28th Major League season, received attention from the Twins’ medical staff and was able to walk off the field slowly, pressing a towel against the left side of his head.
Crew chief Todd Tichenor spoke to reporters after the game, saying that Wendelstedt was coherent and speaking, though he was undergoing concussion protocol. “Hopefully, it’s just some stitches, is what I’m thinking,” Tichenor added. Wendelstedt was then taken to the hospital for additional tests.
While Wendelstedt was on the ground for about a minute, his fellow umpires were visibly shaken by the incident. MLB released a statement expressing that they were encouraged by Wendelstedt’s good spirits when in touch with the medical staff and would continue to monitor his status.
Second-base umpire Adam Hamari moved to first base for the remainder of the game, filling in for Wendelstedt, who had to leave. The incident left players and staff alike shaken. “It made us all stop and think,” said Tichenor. “That hit him solid in the head. It was scary.”
Minnesota’s first baseman Ty France expressed his concern, saying, “It happened so fast. Just praying for a speedy recovery for him because you never want to see something like that happen.” Twins manager Rocco Baldelli also shared his well-wishes, saying, “I would like to wish him the best and say we're all thinking about him. I was glad to see him walk off the field under his own power. That was better than the alternative. We hope he's OK.”
This incident highlights the risks of being on the field, as MLB has required base coaches to wear helmets since 2008, following the tragic death of Mike Coolbaugh, who was killed by a line drive while coaching first base in a minor league game. However, Tichenor does not believe umpires need to start wearing helmets, pointing out, “This one was just 100 mph off the bat. We’re taught to go opposite the ball. He just went into the ball. It happens. We all do it. It just doesn’t hit him in the head usually.”
Wendelstedt’s condition remains under close observation, and everyone is hoping for a full and speedy recovery.
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