A college baseball game between two rival SEC schools resulted in a scary moment involving one of the officials in the contest.
During a game between Alabama and Vanderbilt, in the second inning, Alabama player Brennan Holt fouled off a pitch from Commodores pitcher Brennan Seiber.
The foul ball, as captured on a broadcast, went straight into the facemask of home plate umpire Scott Kennedy.
Kennedy staggered and then collapsed onto the ground after being hit by the ball – falling directly backwards after his mask was knocked off his face.
After falling over, the umpire laid motionless on the ground for several minutes as trainers from both teams rushed out behind home plate to help him.
Medical staff continued to tend to Kennedy until he was able to walk off the field under his own power.
Umpire Scott Kennedy collapsed on the ground after being hit in the mask with a foul ball
Second base umpire Anthony Perez replaced Kennedy behind home plate for the rest of the game at Sewell-Thomas Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
In total, the game was delayed for about 15 minutes in order to resolve the situation.
An Alabama spokesperson told the New York Post that Kennedy was ‘doing better’ after the game. An official update on his health has yet to be provided.
‘I think first and foremost, you’re just hoping Scott’s OK, you know, and I think just get a report from our trainer,’ Crimson Tide head coach Rob Vaughn told reporters following the game. ‘I think he’s OK, and he’s doing better.’
Alabama outlasted Vanderbilt 5-0 to win the game after Kennedy left the game.
