Rippley injured by pitched ball

[Hurricane Floyd]

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) -- Plate umpire Steve Rippley was hit in the left temple by a ball during Friday night's game between Oakland and Tampa Bay and was taken off the field on a stretcher. He was alert and talking as he was examined.

Rippley was taken to a hospital for further examination.

The umpire was injured in the sixth inning when a pitch by Tampa Bay's Lee Gardner hit Adam Piatt and deflected off catcher John Flaherty.

Rippley fell to the ground and trainers from both teams ran to him. After being examined on the field for a few moments, paramedics then took Rippley off the field, where he was checked by Devil Rays team doctor Koco Eaton.

Source: Yahoo Sports!

[Fullabull]

Koco Eaton ???
That sounds like a cereal.... How could you be taken serious as a team doctor with a handle like that?
:confused:

Here is to a speedy recovery for Steve Rippley!
:upsidedow :wink:

[Hurricane Floyd]

Plate umpire Steve Rippley was released from Bayfront Medical Center early Saturday, a day after being hit in the left temple by a ball during a game between Oakland and Tampa Bay.

A re-examination of X-rays found Rippley has a slight non-displaced fracture. Surgery was not required.

Rippley went home to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Saturday, where he is expected to stay for the next 10 days.

Kevin Kelley replaced Rippley for Saturday night's game between the Athletics and Devil Rays and worked second base.

Rippley was injured in the sixth inning when a pitch by Tampa Bay's Lee Gardner hit Adam Piatt and deflected off catcher John Flaherty.

Rippley fell to the ground and trainers from both teams ran to him. He was taken off the field on a stretcher.

Umpire Gary Darling said Rippley did not lose consciousness