🎙️ Voice is AI-generated. Inconsistencies may occur.
The Nationals called off batting practice prematurely Wednesday when a member of their coaching support staff collapsed on the field prior to their game against the Philadelphia Phillies.
A Nationals’ staffer collapsed while throwing batting practice today. Paramedics arrived quickly and he was carried out on a stretcher. The team canceled batting practice and left the field after it happened.
— Spencer Nusbaum (@spencernusbaum_) April 30, 2025
The team has no official update at this time.
Spencer Nusbaum of the Washington Post reports that the coach, James Frisbie, was throwing batting practice when he collapsed. "Paramedics arrived quickly and he was carried out on a stretcher," Nusbaum wrote on Twitter/X.
According to Mark Zuckerman of MASN on Bluesky, the team cancelled the remainder of batting practice following the emergency and headed back to the clubhouse to await word on Frisbie's condition.
Bit of a scary situation pregame. Don’t know much, but someone from the Nationals went down during BP and was carted off by medics. pic.twitter.com/a6qc3dJHUb
— Devan Kaney (@Devan_Kaney) April 30, 2025
After the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Washington Nationals 7-2, Nats manager Dave Martinez addressed the incident with reporters. According to Nusbaum, Martinez said Frisbie is coherent and feeling better after being treated at a local hospital. The cause of his collapse is not known.
"Just waiting on the results," Martinez said, via Nusbaum. "We'll see what they are and hopefully everything is okay."
James Frisbie, the Nats staffer who collapsed pregame, is coherent and feeling better, Davey said postgame.
— Spencer Nusbaum (@spencernusbaum_) May 1, 2025
Frisbie is at the hospital now. No official update on results or the cause.
“Just waiting on the results. We’ll see what they are and hopefully everything is okay.” https://t.co/sGyWBpKxFM
The Nationals were warming up to play the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park when the incident occurred. The game began on time.
More news: Cubs' Two-Time All-Star Opens Up About Alcohol, Mental Health Challenges
The Nationals are 13-18 to begin the new season, and are kicking off a six-game road trip to Philadelphia and Cincinnati against their National League East rivals.
The Phillies are 17-13, having won their last four games in a row. They defeated the Nationals in walk-off fashion on Tuesday night, scoring twice in the bottom of the ninth inning to win 7-6.
More news: Beloved MLB Agent Who Negotiated Largest Contract in Franchise History Dies
A former professional pitcher, Frisbie has several years' experience as a manager of independent minor league baseball teams.
Before joining the Nationals, Frisbie was hired to manage the Grand Junction (Colo.) Jackalopes of the Pioneer League. In 2021, he served on the Detroit Tigers' MLB staff as a left-handed batting practice pitcher.
More news: MLB News: Fan Carted Off Field After Scary Fall From Stands
Frisbie, 52, has also served as a pitching coach for the Gateway Grizzlies of the Frontier League and the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs of the Atlantic League.
Before transitioning to the coaching ranks, Frisbie pitched in independent baseball from 1998-2001. He played collegiately at Abilene Christian University and West Texas A&M.
More news: MLB News: Three-Time All-Star Carted Off Field After Dangerous Collision
Frisbie was born in Roseburg, Oregon.
For more MLB news, visit Newsweek Sports.
About the writer
J.P. Hoornstra writes and edits Major League Baseball content. A veteran of 20 years of sports coverage for daily newspapers ... Read more