Foul balls and home runs are a known hazard at MLB ballparks. Batters can’t control where their hits are being sprayed past a certain point, so fans in danger sections always have to be alert. But errant throws are a less clear and present risk.
YES network cameraman Pete Stendel unfortunately experienced that risk firsthand while working the Yankees vs. Orioles game Wednesday night, when Baltimore shortstop Gunnar Henderson airmailed a throw to first trying to turn a double play. The throw hit Stendel in the head and he went down immediately. Play was quickly stopped.
A lengthy delay ended in Stendel being carted off the field as the concerned stadium looked on.
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Stendel did manage to raise two fingers as he was carted off.
Feel better, Pete Stendel! 🙏
🎥: @PrimeVideo pic.twitter.com/PNP9ONj1zD
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) July 6, 2023
The YES Network later confirmed Stendel was conscious and getting tests.
UPDATE: Pete Stendel is conscious and undergoing tests in the hospital after being struck in the head by a ball in tonight’s game. pic.twitter.com/k84iiFwteY
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) July 6, 2022
Yankees manager Aaron Boone offered well wishes to Stendel.
“Definitely praying for him. It was good to see him obviously coherent and obviously raising his hand going off,” Boone said, via ESPN. “But I saw it pretty well right away, and it was very scary. I didn’t see how he fell back, but I knew what could’ve been possible falling back, on top of the impact from the velocity of the ball hitting him … Obviously a difficult scene there and just hoping he’s OK.”
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Henderson also talked about his throw, which was late and thrown with more urgency because of a bobble from second baseman Adam Frazier.
“Every time that a ball goes over the first baseman or even a foul ball from the hitter, you don’t want to see it going towards a fan,” he said, per the Associated Press. “It just happened to be in the wrong spot, and I hope he’s doing all right. My prayers go out to him. I’m just thankful for the guys that rushed over there to him to help him.”