Veteran umpire Hunter Wendelstedt faced a scary situation during a recent game in Minnesota. On Wednesday, he was hit in the face by a foul ball while positioned near first base. The incident occurred during the seventh inning, when New York Mets center fielder Tyrone Taylor hit a line drive that struck Wendelstedt directly.
Witnesses, including both Taylor and Twins pitcher Louis Varland, reacted with visible concern after the impact. Wendelstedt, who has been an umpire in Major League Baseball for 28 seasons, went down immediately after being hit.
Medical staff from the Twins attended to the 53-year-old umpire, who remained on the ground for a minute. Fortunately, he was able to get back on his feet and walk off the field, holding a towel against the left side of his head for support. To continue the game, second base umpire Adam Hamari stepped in to take over Wendelstedt’s duties for the remainder of the matchup.
