Being an MLB announcer has its own workplace hazards, too.
A scary moment occurred during MLB spring training when Seattle Mariners radio broadcaster Rick Rizzs was suddenly hit by a foul ball while in the booth for Monday’s Cactus League game against the Milwaukee Brewers.
The incident happened in the fifth inning of the Mariners’ 7-5 loss, when Brewers’ Rhys Hoskins fouled off a 1-2 fastball and sent the ball hurtling backward. The ball soared over the net at American Family Fields of Phoenix and toward the Mariners’ visiting radio booth, where Rizzs and broadcasting partner Gary Hill were sitting.
Rizzs could be heard saying, “A swing and a foul,” on the radio call before getting hit in the head by the foul ball, leading to what sounded like grunts of pain from the longtime Mariners broadcaster.
Here’s audio of the scary moment:
Here’s audio of Mariners radio broadcaster Rick Rizzs getting hit in the back of the head by a foul ball
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) March 11, 2025
He confirmed that he’s okay and will be back in the booth on Wednesday pic.twitter.com/xUmR2OefFx
Thankfully, Rizzs didn’t sustain any major injuries and will reportedly be back on the call on Wednesday when the Mariners play the Kansas City Royals.
“Folks, I want to let you know that I took a pretty good shot to the back of my head with a foul ball up here in the radio booth,” Rizzs said on the air after getting checked out by medical staff. “I got a good-sized bump on my head, but I’m going to be O.K. My mom always said I’ve had a hard head, Gary, so it paid off today. I could not believe that ball got up here that quickly.”
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as MLB Broadcaster O.K. After Suffering Scary Foul Ball Injury in Booth During Game.
