Plate umpire leaves Mariners-Red Sox game after foul ball catches him under the chin
A game delay was called after the home plate umpire, far left, was hit by a pitch during the sixth inning of a baseball game between the Boston Red Sox and Seattle Mariners, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, in Boston. Credit: AP/Mark Stockwell
BOSTON — Home plate umpire Will Little left Tuesday night's game between the Seattle Mariners and Boston Red Sox after a foul ball in the sixth inning caught him under the chin and knocked off his throat guard.
The ball tipped off the bat of Seattle's Cole Young, then glanced off catcher Connor Wong’s mitt before catching Little under his mask.
Little appeared dazed as Wong helped him keep his feet before a Red Sox trainer and the rest of the umpire crew joined him behind the plate to make sure he was OK.
Little returned to the plate for the final out, then left the field through the Red Sox dugout. The game was delayed for several more minutes before the bottom of the sixth, when second-base umpire Ryan Wills took over behind the plate.
Little said after the game his jaw was sore but he hoped to be back with the rest of the crew for the series finale on Wednesday.
“It caught me pretty good,” Little said.
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