3-year-old girl to undergo surgery after her skull is fractured by line drive at Dodger Stadium

A 3-year-old girl was to undergo surgery Tuesday for a fractured skull after being struck with a baseball that was hit into the stands during batting practice at Dodger Stadium.

Russell Martin was at the plate about 5:30 p.m. Monday when he hit a line drive into the stands near third base, hitting the girl in the head and knocking her unconscious, said Dodgers spokesman Joe Jareck.

A teary-eyed and visibly shaken Martin shook his head in disbelief and looked up into the stands as the girl's father carried her unresponsive body up the stairs to a first aid station.

A Fire Department vehicle took the girl to Children's Hospital Los Angeles, where she was scheduled to be operated on Tuesday morning.

Martin has offered to pay all the girl's medical expenses, Jareck said.

"As soon as it hit, I heard the sound, I knew it wasn't a good sound. And then I saw him grab her, it didn't look like she was moving, so that was scary," Martin told MLB.com. "I mean, I've hit somebody before, but not where they had to be rushed to be the hospital."

-- Tony Barboza and Dylan Hernandez at Dodger Stadium

Comments

[h]

Hey Russell. It was a mistake man. Your a good ball player. I hope things work out.

[Scoop]

What kind of parent allows their child to sit in an area where they could be killed by a baseball that is hit into the stands? They should be prosecuted for child endangerment

[Donnie B]

ok ... Russell Martin , you've just earned a new fan for stepping up and offering to do the right thing

Dodgers? wait what? a team spokesman said Russell Martin would pay? why didnt the Dodgers themselves offer to do the right thing? probably because their lawyers "advised them not to" ... sheesh ... glad there are men out there like Russell who knew when to step up and do the right thing, meanwhile these stupid corporations hide behind lawyers and mutter things like "not wanting to set a precedent" while they pocket millions from the public

[Diogenes]

Martin volunteered to pay the medical bills? Might I suggest that an anonymous blank check cut from from some of the the loose change in the McCourt's divorce fiasco would be appropriate.

[Eric]

This is so tragic. That poor little angel. Maybe it's time to consider fences or nets to stop more of these balls from getting in the stands?

[AJ]

It is a very unfortunate accident. I just hope that the girl recover from this with no or very minimal damage. Thank God that Children's Hospital is not too far from the Stadium. She will be in good hands.

[Sergio]

Sad. I hope she makes a full and quick recovery.

[camkim]

Not your fault Martin. Why take a 3 year old to the Ball park. They can't sit and watch and only becomes a distraction for the rest of the fans. If they are too young to play ball they are too young to bring to the game.

[LA Girl]

The tears began streaming down my cheeks thinking what if this were my child, what if this family didn't have insurance? Its no secret that this has happened before and that the team nor stadium operators hold any liability its attend at your own risk.
Mr.Martin I can picture in my head the look that must have crossed your face, and the tears described rolling down your cheeks and I'm barely able to type now. Thank You, you make me proud to be a Dodger fan.

[J.B.]

Prayers to the little girl, her family and to Russell. Hang in there buddy!!!

[BaseballWONK]

Sounds like Russell Martin is a standup guy. Kudos to him and very best wishes to the young fan!

[JayE]

That cheap carpetbagger McCourt should pay for it. After charging $13 a beer, you'd think he could afford it.

[Charley Walker]

Stand up guy. Thats what responsibility is all about. Im proud to be an American. I also hope the little one is alright. Man!! surgery? God bless

[Cosmo Kramer]

Horrible accident. Hope the little girl pulls through without problems. I'm a baseball hater but kudos to Martin for offering to pay the hospital bills.

[jumberto]

A freak accident. Thats all it is. All we can do is pray for the girl and hope she recovers.

[Captain Howdy]

Hockey teams have put up nets behind goals, after the incident in Columbus.

Why not put up nets in areas where the ball is traveling at high rate of speed in a straight line.

I hope that the girl recovers from this and that Russell Martin finds peace too.

[Pray for Pitchers]

Nets, please...

[August]

She'll have to sue at age eighteen; 3 year old children have no choice in attending dangerous ball games!

[Mark Newell]

I hope the little girl is ok and makes a full recovery. Russell- you are a true good guy. God bless.

[Tony]

Poor little girl. I hope she makes a full recovery

[Enrique]

Our family's prayers will be with this child.. We visit Dodger stadium thru season and have a 5 year old boy.. I always have him next to me and never take my eyes away from batter when we seat on field level with my glove ready..

Russell great job my man..

[yesisaidyes]

Maybe it's time to consider not bringing your three-year old anywhere in a stadium where batted balls have a chance of landing.

I understand Russell Martin's shock, but his offer to pay expenses is not something that is necessary. People who go to games know what happens with foul balls. Parents who bring defenseless little kids into range aren't thinking right, in my opinion. The mistake, the negligence here, is not the batter's, or the team, or the stadium. It's the parent's.

[Erika]

I've been hit in the back by a fly ball during batting practice while I worked there when I was in college. It was VERY painful. The scary thing is they swing to warm up so it's different than hitting a ball from an opponent. During batting practice they hit at a greater force.

No one cared.

[Joe]

Tragic but what was that parent doing leaving a 3 year old unattended during BATTING PRACTICE!!!

[Leah B]

I am so sorry for that poor little baby, she is in my prayers.

I used to love to go to ball games at Wrigley Field in Chicago when I was younger and I remember my Dad always telling me to keep my eye on the ball and pay attention to what was going on on the field, he used to be a minor league pitcher and always told us kids a baseball can be very dangerous. So please everyone that attends games needs to be very alert and watch what is going on on the field, for your health and your children's. Maybe these kind of tragic accidents will happen less frequently.

Maybe a net like hockey has is the answer.....until then--stay alert and watch your family.