Head hit in the video: Baseball hits referee in the face at around 145 km/h

Minneapolis (USA, Minnesota) - Shocking moment! A 53-year-old umpire was hit in the head by a baseball during the Minnesota Twins ' MLB home game against the New York Mets .

Brutal hit to the head! US referee Hunter Wendelstedt (53) had to be treated after the hit to the head. (archive picture)
Brutal hit to the head! US referee Hunter Wendelstedt (53) had to be treated after the hit to the head. (archive picture)  © JONATHAN ERNSTGETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICAGetty Images via AFP

At the start of the seventh inning in the 39,000-capacity Target Field stadium, Mets' center fielder Tyrone Taylor (31) went for a line drive.

The projectile, traveling at around 145 kilometers per hour, hit the umpire Hunter Wendelstedt, who slumped to the ground.

"That was scary," said Mets manager Carlos Mendoza (45), who was shocked by the incident: "You see something like that every time, it's just scary," added the 45-year-old.

Twins attendants had the presence of mind to rush to the aid of the experienced first-base umpire. Fortunately,Wendelstedt got back on his feetafter the treatment and was able to leave the field on his own - with a white towel on the left side of his face.

X-video shows face hit

Major League Baseball, meanwhile, provided an update on the American's health: "Hunter will undergo further testing in Minneapolis. It is encouraging that he was in good spirits with our medical staff," the organization announced after the Twins' 4-3 home win yesterday (Wednesday).

"We will continue to monitor his condition," the official statement concluded.