Player 'shot' at baseball world cup

A player has been shot during a women’s baseball world cup match in Venezuela, where the Australian team was preparing to take the field.

Authorities suspended play at the women’s baseball world championship tournament after a player from Hong Kong was wounded in the leg by a stray bullet during a game.

The player’s injury was not serious, Venezuelan Vice President Elias Jaua told state television. He said the day’s other games scheduled in Caracas were cancelled while police investigate what happened.

The incident occurred while the Hong Kong team was playing the Netherlands in a stadium at the Fort Tiuna military base. It wasn’t clear whether the bullet was fired on the base or from outside it.

The Australian Baseball Federation released a statement revealing its side was at the stadium in Caracas when the incident occurred.

“Earlier today (Friday afternoon, South American time) in Caracas, Venezuela, a Hong Kong baseball player was struck with a bullet whilst competing in the 2010 Women’s World Cup,” the statement said.

“At this stage there are still a number of unconfirmed details as to how and why this incident happened; and to what condition the player is currently in.

“We can confirm that Team Australia were at the stadium when this incident occurred; although they were not playing in the game in which this incident happened, they were at the facility preparing for their game which was scheduled to commence on the same field after the Hong Kong game.

“Needless to say, the game was abandoned and all teams were ushered immediately back to their hotels under tight security.

“We can confirm that Team Australia is safe and well in their hotel.”

Gun violence is common in the hillside slums near the base and is a serious problem in many areas of Venezuela, which is among the most violent countries in Latin America.

Last year, the Justice Ministry released figures showing there were 12,257 homicides nationwide in the first 11 months of 2009.

– with AP