Has anyone ever been killed by the ball in a major league baseball game? If so when did it last happen and if not, why not?

raven9344

No, never. Because no one has been hit in the throat yet. People have been hit, but no Dec 07 05, 8:18 PM

robboy

Unfortunately, it has happened. In 1920, Ray Chapman was hit in the head by a pitched ball from Carl Mays. You can read the details here: http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/blog_article/about-ray-chapman/ Dec 07 05, 8:37 PM

robboy

This site is a bit more user friendly. http://library.thinkquest.org/04oct/01091/page0003.htm Dec 07 05, 8:41 PM

robboy

BTW, I'd answer the 'why not' part if I knew what the heck it means. Dec 07 05, 8:43 PM

centerice

I just tonight finished a book about the incident robboy mentions. It's called "The Pitch That Killed". Incidentally, raven, you can be killed by a well-timed pitch to the chest, there have been college players killed this way. Dec 07 05, 11:18 PM

peasypod

Gmack, are you talking players or spectators? Dec 07 05, 11:37 PM

JoshCaleb12

Considering that you've said gmack is the "Nitpick King"... I'd say that the way the question is worded, that he will have to take answers that deal with either players or spectators... Here is my contribution regarding a spectator that was killed by a foul ball... http://www.legalzoom.com/articles/article_content/article11329.html Dec 08 05, 12:04 AM

gmackematix

When I asked this question I wasn't sure if anyone had been killed. Not wishing to ask anything that could be fully answered with the word "no", I thought I'd ask for some learned speculation as to why it had never happened hence the "if not, why not" part. As I was just settling idle curiosity, I don't mind hearing about players or spectators so thanks to all that answered. I was inspired to ask it on vaguely recalling how some Prince Frederick died from being struck by a cricket ball... Dec 08 05, 1:31 AM