Guest at Pittsburgh Pirates spring training suffers cardiac event while shagging fly balls: report
The Pirates said the man is 'alert and responsive'
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The Pittsburgh Pirates endured a scary situation at their spring training facility on Tuesday.
A guest of the Pirates suffered a cardiac event and required CPR while shagging fly balls in the outfield of Pittsburgh’s spring training facility, Pirate City, according to a report by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Roansy Contreras holds a ball during spring training on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, in Bradenton, Florida. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
An older man, whose name has not been released, fell to the field before being treated by Pirates medical personnel and was taken to a local hospital.
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Longtime medical director Dr. Patrick DeMeo performed CPR and a defibrillator was used, according to the report.
Many members of the organization reportedly dropped to their knees in prayer and gathered in the outfield as the ambulance arrived.
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An attendant takes Pittsburgh Pirates shoes down to clean during spring training on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, in Bradenton, Florida. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Among the guests at spring training on Tuesday were people associated with the Manatee, Florida, Chamber of Commerce.
"This morning a guest of the Pirates shagging balls on field one at Pirates City had a medical event that required immediate attention," the Pirates said in a statement, according to The Athletic. "He was attended to by Pirates medical personnel, is alert and responsive, and being transported to a hospital for evaluation."
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The sports world was recently faced with a cardiac event in football, as Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed to the field during the first quarter of a "Monday Night Football" game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Roansy Contreras throws during practice on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023, in Bradenton, Florida. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Hamlin, who required CPR on the field for over nine minutes and spent a week in the hospital, is expected to play football again.
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"I don’t want to get into HIPAA issues, but I guarantee you that Damar Hamlin will play professional football again," NFL Players Association medical director Thom Mayer said earlier in February.
Fox News’ Ryan Morik contributed to this report