Umpire Mike Everitt left Friday’s Pirates-Tigers game in the 8th inning after taking a fastball off of the mask.  Battery mates George Kontos and Francisco Cervelli weren’t on the same page.

The cross up between the two resulted in a Kontos fastball right to Everitt’s mask.  Cervelli knew right away the umpire was in trouble and caught him to keep him on his feet.

The look in Everitt’s eyes as Cervelli held him up was a clear sign he had suffered a head injury.  The Tigers training staff briefly checked Everitt out and he was forced to leave the game.  

Being an MLB umpire is a dangerous job, but someone’s got to do it.  Head injuries aren’t just for football players anymore.