[tallhappy]

I was at this game today, and I was seriously worried he was gonna be dead.

I was surprised no one had posted this.

Pitchers get hit with comebackers a fair amount, but never have I seen or even heard of a hot smash line drive directly hitting the pitcher's head like this.

[Flashlight]

I saw some of the replay on SportsCenter. I noticed on a replay that it looked like the batter, as he was running to first slowed down and tried to signal a "time-out", like he was in a football or basketball game.

It looked like he didn't want to run to first and he kind of kept stopping and starting.

I was wondering when the umpire called time. It looked to me like he stopped the play, but after quite a few seconds. I think he should have immediately stopped play and called for help. (well, duh, I have the benefit of replays, etc. Maybe the umpire didn't realize what had happened.) And the batter running towards first was wondering the same thing.

[Jeff Chandler]

Anyone know how he's doing?

[irgbar-man]

"He told the guys at the hospital that he never saw the ball."

I saw the "highlight" and a camera caught Ishii react as if flinching or bracing for impact, but he could not duck or get his glove up in time. It would not surprise me if he lost some memory of time before being struck.

[1L]

This same thing happened in a Rangers game against the Mariners some time around 1991 or 1992. I don't think that pitcher ever pitched again. Does anyone remember that or have any info on the player? It happened at the old Arlington Stadium and the ball came right off the guy's head and went either into the 1st base dugout or into the crowd. It shook up the guy that hit it pretty bad too.

I wish college baseball would go to wood bats exclusively. The ball coming off aluminum will kill someone sooner or later.

[TrappedInLiberalHell]

Pitchers get hit with comebackers a fair amount, but never have I seen or even heard of a hot smash line drive directly hitting the pitcher's head like this.

There was Red Sox pitcher Bryce Florie, a couple of years ago.

[altair]

This got major coverage in Japan. The Japan Times had a huge color picture of Ishii prone and holding his head. I couldn't find a URL though.

Right before Hunter came to the plate, Ishii was booed by the Dodger Stadium crowd of 42,934 after issuing consecutive one-out walks to Jason Lane and pitcher Roy Oswalt with the Astros leading 2-0 on home runs by Craig Biggio and Hunter.

Welcome to Los Angeles.

[dennisw]

Yahoo! News Photo Matches

1 - 18 of 18

	Los Angeles Dodgers Japanese pitcher Kazuhisa Ishii holds his forehead as he rolls in pain on the mound after getting hit by a line drive by Houston Astros' Brian Hunter during the fourth inning Sunday, Sept. 8, 2002, in Los Angeles. Ishii was taken to the hospital. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian) - Sep 09 12:06 AM ET
	Los Angeles Dodgers Japanese pitcher Kazuhisa Ishii throws against the Houston Astros during the fourth inning Sunday, Sept. 8, 2002, in Los Angeles. Ishii was hit by a line drive off the bat of Astros Brian Hunter in the fourth and was taken to the hospital. Ishii has a small skull fracture and will stay in the hospital overnight for observation. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian) - Sep 08 10:29 PM ET
	Los Angeles Dodgers pitching coach Jim Colborn, center, look up as medical personel tend to injured pircher Kazuhisa Ishii during the fourth inning Sunday, Sept. 8, 2002, in Los Angeles. Ishii was hit in the forehead by line drive off the bat of Hosuton Astros Brian Hunter and was taken to the hospital. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian) - Sep 08 9:57 PM ET
	Los Angeles Dodgers Japanese pitcher Kazuhisa Ishii is taken to the hospital after getting hit on the forehead by a line drive off the bat of Houston Astros Brian Hunter during the fourth inning Sunday, Sept. 8, 2002, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian) - Sep 08 9:30 PM ET
	Los Angeles Dodgers Japanese pitcher Kazuhisa Ishii holds his head after getting hit in the forehead by a line drive off the bat of Houston Astros Brian Hunter during the fourth inning Sunday, Sept. 8, 2002, in Los Angeles. Ishii was taken to the hospital. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian) - Sep 08 9:32 PM ET
	Los Angeles Dodgers manager Jim Tracy, left, and catcher Chad Kreuter watch as medical personel tend to Dodgers Japanese pitcher Kazuhisa Ishii after he was hit in the forehead by a line drive off the bat of Houston Astros Brian Hunter during the fourth inning Sunday, Sept. 8, 2002, in Los Angeles. Ishii was taken to the hospital. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian) - Sep 08 9:37 PM ET
	Los Angeles Dodgers Japanese pitcher Kazuhisa Ishii lies on the ground with bloody forehead after getting hit by a line drive off the bat of Houston Astros Brian Hunter during the fourth inning Sunday, Sept. 8, 2002, in Los Angeles. Ishii was taken to the hospital. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian) - Sep 08 9:23 PM ET

[dennisw]

My prayers are with him. What a wicked hit.