Face Masks: Pitchers
As a reminder, our organizational requirement for pitchers is that softball protective face masks are mandatory. We do not waiver on this. The risks greatly outweigh any argument that can be posed. We have seen firsthand why this rule is in place here. You can read below on an example we read about today
Rays minor league pitcher Tyler Zombro in stable condition after hit in head by line drive
Durham Bulls pitcher Tyler Zombro was hit directly in the head by a line drive on Thursday night and taken to a local hospital, making for a terrifying moment in their game against the Norfolk Tides.
The minor league game was suspended in the top of the eighth inning after Zombro went down.
The Bulls said later on Thursday night that Zombro was taken to the Duke University Hospital and is in stable condition. He is “undergoing further treatment and observation.”
Zombro, in the top of the eighth inning at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, threw a pitch to Tides’ catcher Brett Cumberland.
Cumberland hit a line drive right back at Zombro on the pitcher’s mound, and the ball made direct contact with the side of Zombro’s head — which sent him falling directly to the ground. Zombro, after lying completely motionless for a few moments, started convulsing on the ground as players and medical staff rushed in to help.
Zombro was eventually carted off the field and taken to the hospital. The game was called.
The 26-year-old has appeared in nine games so far this season for the Bulls — the Tampa Bay Rays’ Triple-A affiliate