Umpire Will Little leaves game after foul tip hits chin in Boston
2 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 2, 2026, 3:12 AM
Last updated Sep 2, 2026
Home plate umpire Will Little departed Thursday night's game between the Seattle Mariners and Boston Red Sox following an injury in the sixth inning. The incident occurred when a foul tip off the bat of Seattle's Cole Young glanced off the glove of Red Sox catcher Connor Wong. The ball struck Little under his chin, dislodging his throat guard and leaving him appearing dazed on the field. After receiving assistance from Wong and being checked by a Red Sox trainer, Little remained at the plate to complete the final out of the inning. He subsequently left the field through the Boston dugout and did not return. The game experienced a delay before second-base umpire Ryan Wills assumed duties behind the plate for the remainder of the contest.
- •Will Little exited the game after being struck in the chin by a foul ball.
- •The injury occurred in the sixth inning during a Red Sox and Mariners matchup.
- •Cole Young hit the foul ball that ricocheted off Connor Wong's glove.
- •Second-base umpire Ryan Wills took over as the home plate umpire after a delay.
- •Little finished the inning before leaving the field through the Boston dugout.
- 3:43 AMESPN MLB — Umpire exits after ball catches him under chin
- 1:13 AMYahoo Sports — Umpire leaves game between Red Sox and Mariners after ball catches him under the chin
"Home plate umpire Will Little left Thursday night's game between the Seattle Mariners and Boston Red Sox after a foul tip in the sixth inning caught him under the chin and knocked off his throat guard. The ball tipped off the bat of Seattle's Cole Young, then glanced off catcher Boston Connor Wong’s glove before catching Little under his mask. Little appeared dazed as Wong helped him keep his feet before a Red Sox trainer and the rest of the umpire crew joined him behind the plate to make sure he was OK.
"Plate umpire Will Little left the Mariners' win over the Red Sox on Tuesday night after a foul tip in the sixth inning caught him under the chin and knocked off his throat guard.
Sources
External links- ESPN MLBSep 2, 2026, 3:43 AMUmpire exits after ball catches him under chin
Plate umpire Will Little left the Mariners' win over the Red Sox on Tuesday night after a foul tip in the sixth inning caught him under the chin and knocked off his throat guard.
- Yahoo SportsSep 2, 2026, 1:13 AMUmpire leaves game between Red Sox and Mariners after ball catches him under the chin
Home plate umpire Will Little left Thursday night's game between the Seattle Mariners and Boston Red Sox after a foul tip in the sixth inning caught him under the chin and knocked off his throat guard. The ball tipped off the bat of Seattle's Cole Young, then glanced off catcher Boston Connor Wong’s glove before catching Little under his mask. Little appeared dazed as Wong helped him keep his feet before a Red Sox trainer and the rest of the umpire crew joined him behind the plate to make sure he was OK.
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