Cubs vs. Pirates Delayed After Foul Ball Struck Fan in Head Behind Home Plate

A foul ball off the bat of Chicago Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro struck a fan behind home plate at PNC Park on Monday night. The fan was released from the hospital on Tuesday and is "doing fine," according to Carrie Muskat of MLBlogs.com.

Dan Katz of Barstool Sports recorded a Vine of the incident (warning: graphic video). The fan had her back turned and was unable to see the ball coming. With the ball traveling at such a high speed, the netting in front of the woman offered little protection.

Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reported that the fan looked to have regained consciousness as she exited the field of play:

According to Sports Illustrated, the game was delayed for 22 minutes as medical personnel attended to the fan. She was removed on a stretcher.

The Pirates provided the following statement on Tuesday, via Muskat:

"

The female fan who was struck by a foul ball during last night’s game was sent via ambulance to the hospital for the appropriate examinations. Thankfully, the fan was released from the hospital following those examinations.

We are extremely grateful for this positive outcome. The organization is in the process of reaching out to her to show our support. Due to privacy laws, we will not reveal the name of the fan, nor additional details at this time.

We wish to thank the PNC Park personnel and fellow fans who were on the scene at the time, as well as the Pittsburgh EMS for their quick response. 

"

The Pirates face the Cubs on Tuesday.