Aroldis Chapman hit in face by Salvador Perez line drive (Video)

Cincinnati Reds flame thrower Aroldis Chapman was hit in the face by a Salvador Perez line drive during a spring training game on Wednesday night and was carted off the field.

Chapman is the hardest thrower in baseball, which means any ball coming off the bat would be returned with absurd velocity. The play occurred during the bottom of the sixth inning of a Cactus League game between the Reds and Royals.

This video shows Perez making contact. You can hear the terrible sound:

Here’s a look at the scene on the field after Chapman was hit – you can hear how silent the stadium was:

Reds reporter C. Trent Rosecrans says Chapman’s father ran onto the field after his son got hit.

Chapman was attended to by paramedics and carted off the field. The parties involved agreed to call the game after Chapman was hit.

Reds reliever JJ Hoover sent this tweet shortly after the game was called and it was enough to make anyone nervous:

Keep Chapman in your thoughts and Prayers. That was one of the worst I've ever seen. Praying he comes back quick!

— JJ Hoover (@JJ_Hoover) March 20, 2014

This sort of scenario is a pitcher’s worst nightmare, but it sounds like Chapman may come out of this in much better shape than anticipated:

Chapman suffered laceration above left eye, Price said. Never lost consciousness and was talking, moving #reds

— Mark Sheldon (@m_sheldon) March 20, 2014

The team says Chapman has fractures above his left eye and nose and will be kept overnight at the hospital for observation.