Lee Yi-ri took the mound as the starting pitcher against the Hanwha Eagles in the 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League at Hanwha Life Eagles Park in Daejeon on April 25.
However, something unexpected happened early in the game. After striking out Moon Hyun-bin and Chae Eun-sung in the first inning, 안전놀이터 Lee was shaken up in the second inning when he walked the first batter, Noh Si-hwan, and the first pitch he threw to Kim In-hwan sailed over his head. It hit Kim In-hwan in the helmet, and he went down immediately.
Lee turned to Kim in surprise. Both managers and coaching staff came out to check on him.
The pitcher was ejected due to the headshot rule, which states that if a pitch is hit in the head, the pitcher must leave the mound immediately. Lee apologized and headed to the dugout. It was Lee’s fourth headshot ejection of the season.
Kim In-hwan seemed to have escaped serious injury, as he sat down, shook off the pain, and headed to first base.
Kia quickly sent Kim Ki-hoon to the mound.