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The Eugene Emeralds and the University of Oregon are being sued for $500,000 for negligence after a woman from Arizona was struck in the face by a baseball that passed through the backstop safety net.
The plaintiff, Kimberly Johnson, was attending an Emeralds game at PK Park on May 20, 2025, when a baseball hit her. The complaint alleges it was a throw from the pitcher.
The lawsuit, filed Tuesday, July 14, states Johnson suffered facial contusion and laceration, a restricted and obstructed nasal cavity, traumatic occlusion and compensatory mandibular repositioning.
Johnson “continues to suffer from obstructed breathing, tooth as well as jaw pain, headaches and cognitive deficits as a result of the above-stated injuries,” the lawsuit says.
The lawsuit alleges that the portion of the backstop safety net where the baseball passed through was damaged and had not been properly repaired or replaced.
The lawsuit also alleges that there were no signs near the plaintiff’s seat that could warn spectators that the backstop safety net would not protect them from balls.
Both defendants are named because UO owns and operates PK Park, while the Emeralds occupy it as commercial tenants.
As of July 14, 2026, the plaintiff has racked up $20,000 in medical expenses and expects to incur another $50,000, the lawsuit says. Noneconomic damages include pain, suffering, emotional distress, embarrassment, impairment, limitation of physical activities and reduction in quality of life.
Johnson is seeking $70,000 in economic damages and an amount not to exceed $430,000 in noneconomic damages as well as allowable costs and expenses and other relief.
An email seeking comment from the Emeralds and the University of Oregon athletic department was not immediately answered.
