Cincinnati, OH (Sports Network) - Major League Baseball umpire Jerry Layne was
struck in the side of the head by a broken bat and was forced to leave
Friday's contest between the Cincinnati Reds and the Minnesota Twins.
Layne was behind the plate when Devin Mesoraco grounded out for the second out
of the fourth inning. Mesoraco's bat splintered and the barrel struck Layne on
the left side of his head.
He went sprawling to the ground and training staffs from both teams were out
immediately to check on the injured umpire. He left the field under his own
power, but was visibly dazed as he walked into the Reds dugout.
The umpires went with a three-man crew for the rest of the game as Bob
Davidson took over behind the plate for Layne.
The Sports Network