Keith Burgess-Jackson, J.D., Ph.D.

A week ago this evening, Katherine and I were watching the Texas Rangers on television (a nightly ritual) when a most awful thing happened: a fan fell out of the upper deck trying to catch a foul ball.  The first thing I noticed was the home-plate umpire putting his hands over his head and turning away. It was as though he were saying, "I didn't just see that!" Several members of the Cleveland Indians knelt on the field where they stood, with their heads down. Everyone looked horrified. Here is a YouTube "video" (it contains only audio) of the reactions of the four broadcast teams (Rangers television, Rangers radio, Indians television, Indians radio). As far as I know, the fan escaped serious injury. How would you like to have a burly firefighter fall on you from a height of 30 feet?