A Blue Jays fan took a 110 mph hit baseball to the face, off the bat of Bo Bichette, at Rogers Centre, during a game vs. the Tampa Bay Rays this past weekend.
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The event occurred after a foul ball went over the mesh netting, and made its way to the target, which was the forehead of an unlucky lady in the crowd.
The girl who got hit took to X, showing the after-effects of the incident; in the first photo her forehead has a big lump, the exact size of a baseball, which may be enough evidence right there. Then in the second photo, you can see her with a black eye.
Please tell me the @BlueJays are doing something for this incredible young woman? If not, THEY NEED TO DO BETTER! Jk jk! I’m happy you’re ok Liz! You seem to be an amazing fan and as loyal as they come! Hope this story has a happy ending. Anyway I can help, please reach out.
— Joey Swoll (@TheJoeySwoll) May 20, 2024
Unfortunately, as noted by the fan, after getting hit, she did not even get to receive the foul ball, since someone else grabbed it.
As she explained in a separate tweet, "I didnt even get the ball, lady who eventually got the ball that ricocheted off my face wouldnt give us the ball back and left the game early. w the section chanting. "'give her the ball.'"
So now, fans are petitioning to let the Blue Jays organization rectify the situation by giving her a courtesy gift, such as a signed Bo Bichette autographed jersey or baseball, which some recommended.
That is to say, besides injuring fans, not much has been going right for Bichette this season, as he has been in somewhat of a slump so far. To point out, that was about the only hard hit ball he had all weekend, in the three-game weekend series vs. the Rays, the Blue Jays shortstop went 0-for-11. Through the first 42 games of the season, he only has 34 hits with a .211 batting average. To note, this is very uncharacteristic of the sixth-year player, as Bichette had led the American League in hits, both in 2021 (191) and 2022 (189).
The Blue Jays medical staff was on site when the foul ball occurrence happened, and later the injured girl was able to confirm, the test results came back showing that she luckily did not suffer a concussion nor a fracture to her skull.
As for all of the attention the fan has received after getting hit in the head, Topps made a baseball card for the Jays fan, known as Liz McGuire.
𝗝𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝗜𝗡: We made a custom Topps Now trading card of Liz McGuire: the fan who took a 110MPH Bo Bichette foul ball to the head and STAYED AT THE GAME.
We produced exactly 110 copies, and we’re gifting them all to @lizzzzzzzzzzy.
Liz, you’re a champ! 👑❤️ pic.twitter.com/7B9eKyharg
— Topps (@Topps) May 20, 2024
In regards to the whole situation, many fans chimed in with their own opinions saying, she should have been ready to get out of the way and avoid the foul ball. That is, I guess you could still say though, she did in fact keep her "eye on the ball."
Related: Mariners Fan Walks Away With Two Foul Balls, And On Back-To-Back Pitches
