{
  "id": 4981039,
  "title": "Umpire leaves game between Red Sox and Mariners after ball catches him under the chin",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/umpire-leaves-game-between-red-sox-and-mariners-after-ball-catches",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-02T01:14:34.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Winnipeg Free Press",
    "slug": "winnipeg-free-press",
    "url": "https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/baseball/2026/09/01/umpire-leaves-game-between-red-sox-and-mariners-after-ball-catches-him-under-the-chin"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In a game between the Seattle Mariners and Boston Red Sox, home plate umpire Will Little had to leave the field after a foul tip in the sixth inning struck him under the chin and dislodged his throat guard. The incident occurred when the ball, following a hit by Cole Young, hit catcher Boston Connor Wong's glove before catching Little under his mask. Little looked dazed as Wong and other umpire crew members helped him regain his footing. Despite the setback, Little returned to the plate for the final out before being escorted out of the stadium as the game was delayed for several minutes while second-base umpire Ryan Wills took over the plate.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Umpire Will Little left game after foul tip struck him under chin",
    "Ball hit catcher's glove before contacting Little's mask",
    "Little returned for final out before being escorted from stadium"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The umpire's departure mid-game and delayed return highlight the potential vulnerability of umpires to injuries from foul balls, and the need for swift substitutions to minimize game disruption.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}