KISSIMMEE, Fla. -- James McCann had no idea what he'd done.
In the first inning, McCann was batting against Atlanta Braves starter Mike Foltynewicz and he fouled off a pitch.
"All I know is the crowd was still yelling and excited when I was stepping back in the box," McCann said. "I was thinking, I don't think people should be yelling if it hit someone. None of us knew what was going on."
What had happened was the foul ball went straight back and hit a bird.
WDIV (@Local4News) tweeted out video. You don't see the ball strike the bird but you do see the feathers.
WATCH: Detroit Tigers catcher James McCann hits a bird with a line drive! http://t.co/gIKJBiwmKK pic.twitter.com/Kb4fSWrKtH
— Local 4 WDIV Detroit (@Local4News) March 13, 2015
"I just saw feathers, I didn't see the actual contact," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said.
McCann said it's the first time he's hit a bird while batting.
"I didn't see it," McCann said. "I didn't know what was going on until I got down to first base. I wish it wouldn't have happened. That's a tough thing."
McCann found out from first base umpire Joe West what happened.
"He said he didn't know what was funnier, actually hitting the bird or the woman's reaction, whoever's lap it landed on," McCann said. "He said that was interesting to see her jumping around."
An announcement was made during the game that someone had come to check on the bird and that the bird was expected to be OK.
When he heard that, McCann was relieved.
"That makes me feel a little better about it," McCann said. "I'm glad it's going to be all right."
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