No hot plate for Span - Earlier this week, wrapping up the last of their spring training games in the Grapefruit League held in Florida, the Minnesota Twins and New York Yankees took the field in front of a sold out crowd at the Yankees spring training facility. In only the first at-bat of the ballgame, a player would steal the spotlight and make headlines throughout the world of sports...But not in the way he would've hoped. Fresh off a brand new five-year, $16.5 million dollar deal, Twins outfielder Denard Span led off the game. After a full count, Span took a swing at a pitch, fouling a ball off his bat and into the stands, striking a woman in the chest.
With his mother in attendance, he prepared for the worst. After a loud shriek and aw from the crowd, Span ran over near the third base dugout where his mother and other family members were sitting. It wasn't long before Span had realized the ball in which he hit, struck his own mother in the chest, causing her to leave the stands and receive medical attention. With his mother being looked at, Span returned to the plate to finish the at-bat. Still in shock of what happened, Denard ended up striking-out and returning to the dugout. With the incident still on his mind and a full game left to play, Span decided it would be better to call it a day. While heading to the locker room and worrying about his mother's health, little did he know she would make a return to her seat just a few innings later unharmed. In fact, Wanda Wilson [Denard's mother] was upset her son didn't finish the game, when being asked what she thought of the incident.
Since the accident took place, Span has lobbied for extended netting to protect fans down both the first and third base lines near the dugout. Over the years we've seen balls, bats and even players fly into the stands harming fans of all ages. I think it's only a matter of time before they put some kind of fiberglass barrier around the ballpark to ensure the safety of fans, similar to those in hockey. As for Denard, it must of been one tough spoonful to swallow, knowing you just hit your mother, the woman that brought you into this world with a foul ball. I'm guessing Span has seen 'Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins' quite a few times? Regardless, I doubt Denard will be getting any of mom's famous home cookin' any time soon! I wouldn't be surprised if Span was grounded either or possibly sent to time out. Then again, there's always the approach my parents took -- the good 'ol belt to ass method or as my mom called it a whoopin with the belt!
Here's the video highlight of the Span's at-bat, via ESPN:
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