'God bless Bo Bichette': Blue Jays fan hit by ball takes it all in stride

I turned away for a brief second. That's all it took. A momentary distraction at a baseball game and I got rocked with the baseball in the face. I got face smashed. Last Friday, the Blue Jays Bo Bichette ripped a foul ball right at Liz Maguire's forehead. This is what it looked like soon after, swelling almost to the size of a baseball. You know, adrenaline's pumping and you're like, I'm fine, it's probably fun. But the looks of the crowd around me, I knew I wasn't fine. Like kids were looking at me with terror in their eyes. People were turning away. Stadium medical staff checked her out, though McGuire stayed to the end of the game and then went to the hospital. Further advice would have been helpful, but at the same time, I am grateful for the Jays medical staff. Baseball players know the risks. At the plate, a baseball is dangerous. But even the fastest thrown baseball tops out at about 100 miles an hour, 160 kilometers. But off the bat, it's even faster. That foul ball took off at 110 miles an hour, 177 kilometers per hour. It's why in 2018, Major League Baseball extended protective netting for more fans down the foul lines. But in most stadiums where many fans sit, including Liz Maguire hooking line drive. Still reach the stands at high speed. Injuries happen at ball games. It's a risk fans have always recognized. The NHL added more netting in 2002. It's the same risk for the gallery at a golf tournament. In Liz Maguire's case, she was diagnosed with a concussion. But her main frustration? I didn't even get the ball. Someone else got the ball. So the Blue Jays offered her a Beau Bichette signed ball and tickets for future games and tops the trading card company produced a cheeky baseball card. 110 Liz Maguire goose egg photos calling her a champ. Obviously can't even catch a baseball, but I do my own baseball card to commemorate me getting smashed in the face by Beau Bichette. God bless Boba Chet. She says any money she makes from the cards will go to help kids with concussions. And as the Welt disappears and the black eye fades, Liz has advice to other fans. Pay attention during the game and maybe take a baseball glove. Eric Sorenson, Global News, Toronto.