Wild first pitch nails photographer at Red Sox game

BOSTON – An unforgettable first pitch was preceded by an unforgettable photograph from CNHI Sports Boston photographer Tony Capobianco.

A ceremonial first pitch at Fenway Park Tuesday night flew a little too high and to the right, where Capobianco happened to be shooting photos. 

The pitch struck him in the groin.

Capobianco said the pitch fortunately was not precisely on target, and he was fine after a few minutes. But it had viral internet video stamped all over it.

Ever a professional, Capobianco managed to snap an incredible photograph of the impending doom.

Video of the incident — and the reaction of the pitcher, catcher and bystanders — quickly went viral online.

“I’m the one who got hit and I will never stop laughing at that video,” Capobianco tweeted as the video spread on social media. 

Tuesday night wasn’t the first time the pitcher, Jordan Leandre, made headlines inside the park. According to the Washington Post, Leandre was invited to sing the national anthem as a 4-year-old, when he was battling bone cancer and facing potential amputation of one of his legs. 

He was invited back in 2007 and heart-warmingly ran the bases after throwing out the first pitch. An emotional crowd gave him a standing ovation. 

Ten years later he returned to the Fenway Park mound, and delivered a pitch Capobianco will certainly never forget. 

Chris Mason is a Red Sox beat writer for CNHI Sports Boston. 

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