A fan died from injuries suffered in a fall at Rangers Ballpark during the Rangers 6-0 win over the Oakland Athletics last night.

The incident happened in the second inning when the man yelled for a foul ball that was retrieved by outfielder Josh Hamilton. Hamilton responded by tossing the ball to the fan. The fan leaned to catch the ball and fell over the rail through a space between the railing and the back of the scoreboard located on the left-field fence.

The fall was estimated to be approximately 20 feet. This is actually the third fall reported in Texas and second in the past year at this stadium.  Last July in a game against the Cleveland Indians, a fan fell 30 feet from the upper deck while trying to retrieve a foul ball in the right field area of the ballpark. He survived.

With three accidents, one leading to death, expect for the Rangers organization to address the issue and add additional safety features to the ballpark.

Fans get aggressive trying to catch balls. A fan recently made the news when he dropped his daughter trying to catch a ball coming his way. Did the man intend to dump his girl on the concrete just to get a ball? Probably not but it’s a reaction, just like the one last night that caused the man to lean too far and fall. Fans sitting in the area said the victim was with his young son. That said, he was trying to send his son home with a prized souvenir.

After the game Ryan closed the locker room off not allowing any immediate postgame media contact with the players then later made this statement:

“I think as any of us would be Josh is very distraught over this as the entire team is.”

The Rangers are considering giving Hamilton a day off to recoup from the incident.

Former president George W. Bush attended the game and was sitting in the front row with Rangers president Nolan Ryan when the incident occurred. Ryan left his seat to deal with the catastrophe while Bush remained in his seat. We’ll hold off on any “The Pet Goat” puns at this time.

Used with permission of the author.

Jay Donetelli is a Tampa-based freelance sportswriter and contributor to Sports Climax. With an opinion sharper than an Ovechkin skate blade with the sting of an Ali jab, Donetelli has a loyal cult of readers who have found a way to love him.

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