Manatee Chamber member collapses at Pirates spring training in Bradenton, reports say
Pittsburgh Pirates medical staff had to perform CPR on a guest, who was shagging fly balls during Tuesday’s workout at Pirate City, collapsed, according to multiple reports.
Chamber of Commerce members were guests of the Pirates on Tuesday and were there to tour the Pirate City spring training complex, shag fly balls during batting practice and have lunch at the facility, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
Around 11 a.m., practice was halted when an unidentified Chamber member collapsed in the outfield, according to MLB.com.
Pirates medical director Dr. Patrick DeMeo, who performed CPR on the fallen guest, and sports medicine director Todd Tomczyk were among staff that rushed to the outfield to assist the guest, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
The Post-Gazette reported the guest that collapsed needing medical attention was former Manatee Chamber of Commerce member Ernie Withers, 69. The outlet reported he suffered ventricular fibrillation and was taken to Manatee Memorial Hospital.
The Pirates issued a statement concerning the event.
It reads as follows:
“This morning a guest of the Pirates shagging balls on field one at Pirates City had a medical event that required immediate attention. He was attended to by Pirates medical personnel, is alert and responsive, and being transported to a hospital for evaluation.”
The Tribune-Review reported practiced resumed at 11:50 a.m. after the guest was taken to a nearby hospital via an ambulance, before finishing at 12:20 p.m.
“I think we’re really fortunate that we had that group of people (nearby),” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said in a press conference after practice. “A scary incident that they were on top of right away. … I can’t give enough credit to our group and how quickly they were responsive.”
Added Pirates pitcher Rich Hill, according to the Tribune-Review: “It’s difficult because it’s such a sobering moment,” Hill said. “When we’re out there, getting ready to perform a task and play a game that we all love, to see something like that happen with the gravity of the situation is very real.”
This story was originally published February 21, 2023 at 3:35 PM.
