Terrible news from Braves FOX Sports…Wingert got hit by a foul ball
Around the 7th inning of Friday night’s game, we saw on Twitter from fans at the game that there was something going on with Atlanta Braves sideline reporter Kelsey Wingert. We saw a few tweets saying “hope Kels is okay”. This got us curious as to what was up.
Wingert, who has worked for the Braves since 2016, is a sideline reporter for FOX Sports South. She’s extremely talented and brings a great aspect to the broadcast.
On the broadcast, they didn’t say a thing about this — at least I didn’t hear — Wingert got hit by a foul ball while in the area of the Braves dugout on the first base side. She usually sits towards the end of the dugout while not doing a report.
With Odubel Herrera hitting and Sam Freeman pitching, it looks from the video below that the ball bounced on the dirt, shooting straight into the air, then bouncing off the railing of the Braves dugout and hitting Wingert.
— Parker Smith (@ParkerSmith415) March 31, 2018
Last night, I did some digging to see if we could find any more additional information about the incident. All I found was that the fans saw her holding ice on her face. Oh, wow…that’s not good.
Sitting that close to the field and getting hit — never less in the face — is a terrible thing.
FOX Sports analyst Paul Byrd finally gave us an update a little after the end of the game.
ICYMI, my Fox Partner @KelsWingert got hit in the eye with a line drive foul ball during the #Braves game. She is at the hospital now and is doing better. Continued Prayers & Support please for a safe recovery. She’s a GAMER!!!
— Paul Byrd (@PaulByrd36) March 31, 2018
Hit in the eye? Oh no, that’s extremely serious.
Wingert updated us fans on twitter this morning that she suffered a fractured eye socket.
I’m okay. At ER waiting on results of CAT scan. Thanks for well wishes.
— Kelsey Wingert-Linch (@KelsWingert) March 31, 2018
Back home. I have a fracture in my eye socket, but it could have been MUCH worse. I really appreciate all the tweets, calls and texts.
— Kelsey Wingert-Linch (@KelsWingert) March 31, 2018
The Atlanta Braves have already reacted to this situation and are talking precautionary measures so this doesn’t happen again. The Braves are currently adding extra netting by the dugout to cover more space.
The Braves also send their best wishes on twitter this morning.
Wishing you a speedy recovery and we look forward to seeing you back at the ballpark soon! https://t.co/0ww4KWsFiC
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) March 31, 2018
Here is a shot of the Braves installing the extra netting on Saturday morning.
Looks like Braves making adjustments to netting after Kelsey Wingert got her eye socket fractured last night pic.twitter.com/1FSOAy5XD2
— Tyler (@ShakeNTaake) March 31, 2018
Next: Braves social media explodes when Markakis hit the bomb!
Wishing Kelsey the best and a speedy recovery! The Braves, FOX Sports and US need her back!!