A youth baseball game in New Jersey was interrupted when a tree crashed into the dugout, causing instant chaos among players and their parents.
The Middletown Hammers were facing the Fair Haven Diamonds on Saturday when the scary incident occurred.
In footage shared online, a tree can be seen falling on the dugout as the 10- and 11-year-old boys were playing at the community center in Fair Haven.
Coaches and nearby adults rushed to help those under the dugout; no serious injuries were reported.
Middletown coach Garrett Van Alstyne recorded the incident, recalling that his camera was set to record highlights of the amateur baseball league game.
A New Jersey youth baseball game was interrupted when a tree crashed into the dugout, causing instant chaos among players and parents.
Middletown coach Garrett Van Alstyne recorded the incident and recalled that his camera was set to record highlights of the U.S. Amateur Baseball League game.
The tree fell on the opposing team’s bench, but that didn’t stop Van Alstyne from getting into action.
“It wasn’t my team, but at that moment those were my players,” the coach said. CBS News.
“The Fair Haven kids, some of them were really excited. You could see them shaking.”
Van Alstyne’s son was also on the field and, like his father, he also rushed to help.
Fair Haven Police Lt. Stephen Schneider said: ‘Some abrasions on the top of the head, nothing major.
“First aid examined them along with the patrols and they refused medical attention. Their parents were here with them, so after that they were released.”
Crews have since cleaned up fallen debris and damaged stands.
There were no complaints of lowered branches or anything related to the tree before the break, although attendees heard creaking noises but did not report any concerns.
The owners on the other side of the fence have reportedly said they will “take care of whatever is left.”
“I appreciate everyone who has shown this video. I hope that a lot of the surrounding municipalities that have facilities, baseball fields, soccer fields, if there are trees like this, that they take a look at them. Just take a look and see if there’s anything they can do to make sure an incident like this doesn’t happen again,” Van Alstyne added.
