Tigers Minor Leaguer hospitalized in accident
Tigers Minor League catcher Chace Numata was hospitalized with head injuries after a skateboarding accident early Friday morning in Erie, Pa.
The Tigers issued a statement regarding Numata, a catcher for their Double-A Erie affiliate.
“We’ve been made aware that early on Friday morning, SeaWolves catcher Chace Numata was involved in an accident in Erie, PA," the statement reads. "We have been in contact with hospital officials and SeaWolves leadership about his condition. All of us with the Detroit Tigers ask for Chace to be kept in your thoughts and prayers at this time.”
According to the Erie Times-News, Erie police officers spotted Numata lying on the ground, bleeding from the head, around 2:15 a.m. ET Friday morning. He was found just blocks from UPMC Park in downtown Erie.
Numata was transported to a nearby hospital. The Tigers and SeaWolves have not commented further on Numata’s condition for privacy reasons.
According to the Times-News, the accident did not involve an automobile. Officers reportedly reviewed surveillance video from a nearby security camera that showed Numata fell down while skateboarding on the street.
Players heading to and from the ballpark on skateboards or scooters wouldn’t be unusual in Erie. Many of them stay close to downtown during the season.
The SeaWolves played the final home game of the regular season just hours earlier Thursday night; Numata did not play in that game. They wrap up their regular-season schedule in Akron beginning Friday night.
News of the accident quickly reached Detroit, where former teammate Jake Rogers took the news hard. Rogers began the season working alongside Numata in Erie before being promoted to Triple-A Toledo.
“It’s tough, really tough,” Rogers said. “I played with him for a month or so in Erie. It’s tough news. I’m praying for him, man. I called [SeaWolves pitcher] Alex Faedo earlier.
“It’s tough to hear. He’s a really good dude. He adds a lot to the clubhouse. I hope nothing but the best for him.”
Numata, who turned 27 earlier this month, joined the Tigers as a Minor League free agent after nine years in the Phillies' and Yankees' organizations. The native Hawaiian provided veteran depth behind Rogers and later Kade Scivicque before taking over the bulk of the duties at catcher.
While his ability to catch a game earned him quick respect among the Tigers’ top pitching prospects in Erie, his veteran presence in the clubhouse has been even more valued on a young team.
“He was the life of the clubhouse,” Rogers said. “He brought energy every day. Just showing up and seeing Numie, you knew you’d get a laugh out of it. He’s a jokester. He’s funny. He’s a really good presence behind the plate with those guys. It really is tough.”