World Baseball Classic Umpire Hit in Face by 98mph Pitch in Terrifying Moment (Video)

Things got scary fast at the World Baseball Classic—before turning into pure chaos and celebration.

During a tense semifinal matchup, home-plate umpire Jeremie Rehak took a brutal 98 mph fastball straight to the face mask after a pitch from Venezuela’s Luinder Avila went off target. The impact left players on both sides rushing in to check on him as the game paused in a tense moment.

Despite the frightening hit, Rehak was able to stay in the game after a brief delay—earning serious respect from fans and players alike.

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But that was just the beginning.

At the time, Venezuela was trailing Italy 2-1 and struggling to generate offense. Then everything flipped in an instant.

In a wild seventh-inning rally, Ronald Acuña Jr., Maikel Garcia, and Luis Arraez delivered clutch two-out hits to spark a comeback, pushing Venezuela to a 4-2 win and sending their dugout into a frenzy.

It marks the first time Venezuela has ever reached the World Baseball Classic final—a massive moment for a baseball-obsessed nation.

“We’ve never been here before,” Garcia said after the game. “We’re excited, and we’re ready to show the world who Venezuela is.”

Manager Omar Lopez echoed the emotion, saying the energy and passion on display is exactly what Venezuelan baseball is all about.

The road to the final hasn’t been easy. Venezuela already shocked fans by knocking off powerhouse Japan earlier in the tournament, proving they’re not just a feel-good story—they’re a serious threat.

Now, all eyes turn to a blockbuster championship matchup against Team USA, led by superstar Aaron Judge.

With momentum on their side and history already made, Venezuela is just one win away from pulling off one of the biggest upsets in World Baseball Classic history.