. >> for landon cunningham, it was the ultimate early birthday gift, a trip to the ballpark to catch a spring training matchup, where the play of the game would be made by his own dad. >> he's a hero. >> rodrigez runs, the back goes into the seats. >> you could hear the crowds reaction on the pirates radio network as a bat slipped from the hitter's hands, hurtling toward the third row. >> i didn't even see it, so i was scared. >> the images capture frame by frame by the pittsburgh tribune review, look at the skplegss of those around landon. then look at the calm reaction of his father sean whose instincts set in like a catcher blocking a wild pitch. >> i didn't have a lot it, the only thing i can describe it as is dad mode. >> this dad was drafted by the pros before getting sidelined by a shoulder injury. now a firefighter, his baseball skills came in handy one more time, saving his son. >> i whispered to him, landon, hold up your head and tip your cap. the whole stands cheered and applauded. it was really cool, dad, that was awesome. >> as for landon. >> i asked my dad, is this what

. >> reporter: 8-year-old landon cunningham said hii dad is a hero who saved his life after his father stopped this baseball bat from hitting h imin the face. his father said it was a miracle and all caught in pittsburgh. pittsburgh tribune photographer christopher horner captured the moments captain shaun cunningham stopped a flying baseball bat from hitting his son in the face this weekend. this is the baseball bat. my dad blocked it like that and >> reporter: the stare and son were at a spring training game at the atlanta braves and pittsburgh spirits at disney's espn's wide world of sports for landon's birthday. he just borrowed his dad's phone to take pictures and looked down for a moment. >> i saw it going forward i didn't have time to think. i threw my arm out there. >> i think he had the hand of god. >> reporter: the bat hit shaun right there in the wrist. >> i went into dad mode and looked him over, make sure he was okay. >> i think i would have died or went to the hospital racing for my life. >> reporter: these photos have gone viral. i wanted to throw up in my mouth. it was

. >> 8-year-old landon cunningham is a ball of energy who loves playing ball with his dad. >> perfecthe two like playing catch but it's always forth. saturday it was the bat his dad had to catch. >> realizing it was coming for us and specifically him. all i could do is throw my arm in the way. >> reporter: landon was sending pictures of the game to his mother and sister who went shopping instead of the game. sports photographer chris horner was watching and caught the split second reaction in an image that's gone viral. >> the pictures scare me a little bit because of how close it came to my face. >> the barrel of the bat hit my wrist. i guess it deflected and spun it, and the handle got him in the shoulder which i'll take that over the alternative. >> reporter: sunday night when she is pictures made the rounds online, his dad realized just how close the bat came to causing tragedy into it could have been as minor as a broken nose knocking teeth out to possible skull fracture. just depends. >> reporter: john's wrist got hurt. the ball did his hit landon's shoulder but both walked away

the bat flew out of the hitter's hands -- headed straight for 8-year-old landon cunningham's head. luckily, the boy's dad has quick reflexes. he reached out and saved his son from a serious injury. "this is the baseball bat that hit me right here. this thing was flying! it went across, like that. i think when it was doing it, my dad but then it flipped around and hit me right here." a newspaper photographer snapped a picture of the moment. the image has since gone viral and dad has turned into a national hero. that's all the time we have for tonight....have a great evening.. pause for hoops headquarters open yeah, i was just talking about your emergency roadside service and how it's available 24/7 and then our car overheated... what are the chances? can you send a tow truck please? uh, the location? you're not going to believe this but it's um... it's in a tree. i wish i was joking, mate, (car horn honking) a chainsaw? no, no, all we really need is a tow truck. day or night, geico's emergency roadside service is there for you. peggy: all right. this should be more than enough kibbl

. >> for landon cunningham who is turning nine next week it was ultimate early birthday gift, the to catch a spring training matchup where the play of the game would be made by his own dad. >> he is a hero. >> 3-0, rodrigues runs and the bat goes into the seats. >> you could hear the crowd's reaction on the pirates radio network as a bat slipped from the hitter's hands hurtling towards the third row when landon was looking down at a phone about to send pictures to his moem mom. >> i didn't even see it so i was scared. >> the images captured frame by frame by the "pittsburgh tribune review," just look at the expressions those around landon and look at the calm reaction of his father's sean whose instincts set in like a catcher blocking a wild pitch. >> i didn't have a lot of time to think about it. it just -- the only thing i can describe it as is dad mode. >> reporter: granted this, dad played college ball and was drafted by the pros before getting sidelined by a shoulder injury. now his firefighter, his baseball skills came in handy one more time, saving his son. >> i kind of said u

. >> 8-year-old landon cunningham is a ball of energy who loves to play ball with his dad. >> perfect. >> they like play ing ing catch but it's always the ball they throw back and forth. saturday it was the bat his dad had to catch. >> realizing that it was coming really all i could do was throw my arm in the way. >> landon was sending pictures to his mother and sister. chris horner was watching. he caught the split second reaction in an image that's gone viral. >> the pictures scare me because of how close it came to my face. >> the barrel hit my wrist. i guess it deflected and spun it and the handle got him in the shoulder, which i'll take that over the alternative. >> sunday night when these pictures made the rounds online landon's dad realized how close it was to tragedy. >> it could have been a broken nose to a skull fracture. >> the bat hit landon's shoulder but both walked away just fine and got the keep the bat. some are calling this dad a hero. >> honestly i didn't have a lot of time to think about it. it was dad mode protecting my son so i just did what i could. >> shawn hap

. >> reporter: for landon cunningham, it was the ultimate early birthday gift, a trip to the ballpark to catch a spring training matchup. >> he is a hero. >> you could hear the crowd's reaction on the pirates radio network as a bat slipped from the hitter's hands, hurtling toward the third row, where landon was looking down at a phone ready to send pictures to his mom. >> the images captured frame by frame. look at the expressions of those around landon, and look at the calm reaction of his father sean. >> i didn't have a lot of time to think about it, the only thing i can describe it as is dad mode. >> this dad played college ball and was drafted by the pros before getting sidelined by a shoulder injury. now a firefighter, his baseball skills came in handy one more time, saving his son. >> i whispered to him, hold your hand up and tip your cap. he did that. the whole stands cheered and applauded. that was awesome. >> as for landon -- >> i asked my dad, is this what usually happens at baseball games? >> he got to keep that bat atsz a souvenir, consider it the birthday gift he never sa

. >> 8-year-old landon cunningham is a ball of energy who loves to play ball with his dad. >> perfect. >> they like play ing ing catch but it's always the ball they throw back and forth. saturday it was the bat his dad had to catch. >> realizing that it was coming

. >> reporter: for landon cunningham, who is turning nine, gift, a trip to the ballpark to catch a spring training matchup where the play of the game would be mad by his own dad. >> he is the hero. >>> you could hear the crowd's reaction as a bat slipped from the hitter's hands hurdling to the third row where he was looking down about to send pictures to his mom. >> i didn't see it. >> reporter: the images captured ame by frame by the pittsburgh tribune review. look at the expressions of those around landon and look at the comrie action of his father, sean, whose instincts set in like a catcher blocking a wild pitch. >> i didn't have a lot of time to think about it. the only thing i can describe it as is dad mode. >> granted, this dad played college ball and was even drafted by the pros before getting sidelined by a shoulder injury. now, a firefighter,r,his baseball skills came in handy one more time saving his son. like, landon, hold your head up with your cap. he held his cap up and the whole stand xheered and applauded. he was like, dad, that was awesome. >> as for landon. i asked my d

the pittsburgh tribune review released the frame-by-frame pictures that shows how close landon cunningham came to disaster pep was looking at his phone, a lot of kids are, he was about to send pictures to his mom. landon's dad said it was instinct and reflexes. >> i describe it as dad mode. >> i asked my dad, is this what usually happens at a baseball game? >> landon got to keep that bat and souvenir which could also serve as a birthday present. he turns 9 next week. happy birthday. >>> now your nbc 10 first alert weather with meteorologist sheena parveen. >> well, it's going to be a mild again this morning within you walk outside. if you liked yesterday morning and needed a light coat. you'll want it again today. this afternoon you won't. we'll be in the mid to upper 70s tomorrow, 80 degree temperatures could be in our forecast. so it's getting warmer and yes, these are record high temperatures. so today we expect record highs. tomorrow we expect record highs. it is not going to be feeling like winter. technically it still is. then we go into the weekend and we have the rain chances retu

the pittsburgh tribune review released the frame-by-frame pictures that showed just how close landon cunninghamdisaster. he didn't see what happened because he was about to send pictures to his mom. >> i didn't have a lot of time to think about it. it just -- the only thing i can describe it as is dad mode. >> i asked my dad, is this usually what happens at baseball games? >> well, i guess when you're in dad mode it does. landon got to keep the bat as a souvenir which could also serve as a birthday present. he turns 9 next week. happy birthday to him. >>> the cherry blossoms are expected to bloom earlier this year in washington, d.c. thanks to those warmer temperatures. the national park service predicts they could bloom march between 18th and 28th. >>> now your first alert weather. >> quite morning and the weather will stay quiet, too. the temperatures will jump up, record highs today. record highs tomorrow. rain for your weekend. i'll show you that coming up. now let's get you out on the roadways. >>> cherry hill, new jersey, actually around cuthbert boulevard and route 38. no problems or del

. >> reporter: 8-year-old landon cunningham said his dad is a hero who saved his life after a father stopped this baseball bat from hitting him m the face. his father said it was a miracle and all caught in pittsburgh. "pittsburgh tribune review" photographer, christopher horner captured the exact moments. captain shawn cunningham stopped a flying baseball bat from hitting his son in the face this weekend. >> this is the baseball bat that hit me right here. this thing was like flying. it went crossing like that. i think it -- when i was doing that. my dad blocked it like that. but then it hit me right here. were at a spring training game of the atlanta braves and pittsburgh pirates at disney's espn wide world of sports for landon's birthday. landon just borrowed his dad's phone to take pictures and locked down for a second. the bat slipped out of the hitter's hands. >> i saw it heading toward him. didn't have time to think. i just threw my arm out there. >> reporter: stopping the bat in its tracks. >> i think he had the hand of god, guardian angel watching over him that day. >> you c

a spring training game in florida, that bat heading toward young landon cunningham, his dad sean gets his arm out just in time. we spoke to them on tuesday. we surprised landon with an autographed jersey from his favorite player, freddie freeman. that young man was so cute. when we told him he was getting that. >> i love it. >> you're so happy. guess what, he's stealing hearts once again. he and his wife chelsea are they revealed the news the way a big leaguer can only do it. hit it. >> that's it. they're having a boy. >> isn't that cute? >>. >> chelsea and freddie revealing, hitting that ball and it exploded blue. that's pretty cool. >> giving the jersey to landon and now this. he might be our favorite right now. >> just want to remind you what sports is all about, that there are a lot of great athletes out there. there are a few bad ones, but there are so many others. there are so many others that are role models and just terrific. >> well-said. we know my thing with zekka, i get worked up when i hear his name. >> when i interviewed him. >> good idea. they're down in miami filming t

the bat flew out of the hitter's hand, heading straight for 8-year-old landon cunningham's head. luckily, his dad has quick reflexes. he reached out and saved his son from a serious injury. >> this is the baseball bat that hit me right here. this thing, was, like flying. it went like that. i think when it was doing that my dad blocked it like that. but then it flipped around and hit me right here. snapped a picture of the moment. the image has since gone viral, and the debt is now a national hero. >> good work. >>> the acc tournament tips off today up in the nation's capital. the first game at noon at the verizon center. the demon deacons of wake forest going against the wolfpack from nc state. wral is your headquarters for all of the games. we'll have live reports and coverage throughout the tournament. because of the 12:00 game, the noon newscast while you're right here on fox50. >>> ihop is celebrating its national pancake day by giving out free flapjacks. today, participating restaurants nationwide will offer up a free short stack of pancakes to customers. now, in return for

pthis is little landon cunningham pand he was celebrating his peighth birthday by going to his pfirst professional baseball pgame. pa bat zips into the stands pthere. pthank goodness his dad sitting pnext to him, he puts his arm up pand deflects the bat just in the pnick of time. pwhen you start looking into pthis, it's kind of amazing to pfind out how common this kind of pthing is. pnot so much with the bats but pmore with foul balls zipping paround the internet this morning pand i found out that according pago, 1,750 people a year are pinjured by foul balld s balls. pin some cases, really a major pinjury. pone case that i found, very, pvery telling was last june at pfenway, a 44-year-old woman is phit by a bat. pshe had to have brain surgery pand rehab. pnow, obviously most of these pincidents are just not that big pof a deal but for that poor pwoman, it was a big deal. pmajor league baseball is taking pcertain precautions to make this pa safer game like putting nets phome plate. pthat kind of thing. precovering. plittle guy, he has something to ptalk about over in orlando. pthat's

pthis shot went around world it pwent viral landon cunningham is plooking down at his phone ptotally unaware a bat was about pto whack him in the head thanks pto dear old dad he's safe. phis dad deflects the bat with phis arm. pnow i was talking about not only pbats in previous live shots i pwas talk about foul balls i'm pstill amazed by it 1750 or so pso you have to be careful. pin the meantime, i just got a ptweet from somebody saying you pknow what, check out this one pstory out of detroit. pa woman actually lost her eye, pnot a major league baseball pgame, but at her son's high pschool game. pit what could her right in eye. punfortunately that ended up pvery, very badly. peven at a high school level pthese balls are going really, preally fast. pi'm told that a major league pgame, the balls can go 100 miles pan hour. pso you really have to watch out pfor both. pin most cases things turn out pwell but not al. pjust been aware when you come to pgame and enjoy it. p>> all right kenny, good advice pthis morning. pinteresting. pthose statistics are really pstaggering. pall right. pwe'l

ashley cunningham/landon's mother "when i initially saw the picture, i wanted to throw up in my mouth. as a mother, it's a very scary picture, seeing it all caught in action." cunningham says he has some bruises on his arm from guarding his son's face from the bat. a trunk in the front of a car. as in tree trunk. why police want everyone to see this. but first --- what 10 on your side's liz palka is working on tonight --- ahead of what is expected to be a busy council meeting. overnight: mostly clear,. lows: 49-54. wind: sw pet moments are beautiful, unless you have allergies. then your eyes may see it differently. only flonase is approved to relieve both itchy, watery eyes and congestion. no other nasal allergy spray can say that. when we breathe in allergens our bodies react by cause our symptoms. most allergy pills only control one substance. flonase controls six. and six is greater than one. complete allergy relief or incomplete. let your eyes decide. flonase. 6>1 changes everything. the roles you play in life are part of what make you, you. and you're not going to let anything ke

spring training game between the pirates and braves that heading towards young landon cunningham and dad gets his arm out just in time. we surprised landon with anaphed jersey from his favorite player braves first baseman. that we told him he was getting that jersey. so happy. >> guess what. he is stealing hearts once he and his wife are expecting a baby. big leaguer can only do it. t it. >> that's it. they're having a boy. >> that is such idea. >> revealing hitting that ball and exploded in blue. that's pretty cool. >> giving the jersey to and now this. he might be our favorite right now. >> reminds you there what sports is all about and that a lot of great athletes out there. a few bad ones but so many others. >> it's true. terrific. >> well said. >>> we know my thing is efron. i get worked up when i interview him. let's talk about zac efron. they are filming >> look at thoseabs. >> i want to look at look at that. he is down there shooting this. there was a fan who ran him and in an attempt to get a picture of him drops his phone and it shatters. cracked beyond repair so what does h

father came to his son's rescue while they were at a baseball game in florida sean cunningham an eight year old landon were in the stands when a player lost his grip on the back towards nearly hit land in the face but his dad reacted quickly and put his arm up to protect us on a photographer caught that split second reaction the pictures are blown up all over social media. realizing that it was common for us and specifically him and really all i can do is just a mormon away on a set in a whole lot of time to think about it was protecting my son so i just do what a good father and son got to keep the bat landon says he plans to go to war games as long as he gets it right next to his dad that is the response to the dead looks like i used to put that sum to say he's got the hands of them are the mommy daddy say raise the arm israel a great eye hand coordination let's turn to high school hoops hampton roads well represented in the state high school semifinals in girls and boys basketball thirteen sports director scott cash recaps the data was for those who are still and the ones who were out. if you want

chris horner captured the moment when paramedic sean cunningham reached out to save his son landon from a flying baseball bat. it was only when it hit the internet he realized how close it caused to causing tragedy. >> the barrel of my bat hit my wrist and it deflected it and spun it and the handle got him in the shoulder which i will take that over the alternative. >> definitely. it hit him in the shoulder. sean's wrist was hurt but they walked away just fine. and they got to keep the bat. that's too close. >> normally they say bring the glove to the game. >> absolutely. well we have shu in for larry with sport and the warriors sh yay! >> the warriors set a in you standard. orlando will go down in record books as the team that wilted books as the team that wilted under pressure. thank you. imagine if the things you bought every day... ...earned you miles to get to the places you really want to go. with the united mileageplus explorer card, you'll get a free checked bag, two united club passes, priority boarding, and 30,000 bonus miles. everything you need for an unforgettable vacation.

chris horner captured the moment when paramedic sean cunningham reached out to save his son landon fromball bat. it was only when it hit the internet he realized how close it caused to causing tragedy. >> the barrel of my bat hit my wrist and it deflected it and spun it and the handle got him in the shoulder which i will take that over the alternative. >> definitely. it hit him in the shoulder. sean's wrist was hurt but they walked away just fine. and they got to keep the bat. that's too close. >> normally they say bring the glove to the game. >> absolutely. well we have shu in for larry with sports. and the warriors sh yay! >> the warriors set a in you standard. orlando will go down in record books as the team that wilted under pressure. you're in a group most likely to develop skin cancer, including melanoma. that's why your best shot is to check for a spot. follow through and check your skin. go to spotskincancer.org to find out how. by riverwalk casino. warriors get a wake up call losing to the lakers. tonight they rebound by winning their new nba record. stifling the orlando magic

chris horner captured the moment when paramedic sean cunningham reached out to save his son landon fromseball bat. it was only when it hit the internet he realized how close it caused to causing tragedy. >> the barrel of my bat hit my wrist and it deflected it and spun it and the handle got him in the shoulder which i will take that over the alternative. >> definitely. it hit him in the shoulder. sean's wrist was hurt but they walked away just fine. and they got to keep the bat. that's too close. >> normally they say bring the glove to the game. >> absolutely. well we have shu in for larry with sports. and the warriors sh yay! >> the warriors set a in you standard. orlando will go down in record books as the team that wilted under pressure. ♪ ♪ as long as you love me, anyit's alright. ♪e. ♪ ♪ bend me shape me, any way you want me. ♪ shape the best sleep of your life. sleep number beds with sleepiq technology adjust any way you want it. the bed that moves you. only at a sleep number store. i want to show you some cutting edge technology. this is a vhs tape. push that tape in and hit play