What was meant to be an enjoyable day at PNC Park, quickly turned into a nightmare for the Caimano family after a foul ball came flying at Rinaldo Caimano's face, crushing his eye socket and cheek bone. 

"The ball somehow whipped up over the railing, nobody saw it [coming,]" Caimano said. 

For at least the past 10 years local and professional baseball organizations added additional netting around their fields to protect their fans from similar incidents. 

However, on July 1, 2023 the lifelong pirates fan sat in a section without the net that day and his life changed in an instant.

"I turned to look at my dad...and his eye was just gone," the daughter of Caimano, Monica Caimano said. 

Caimano told 21 News that he has spent the last year recovering from multiple surgeries before eventually losing vision in his right eye.

He said he suffers from emotional pain daily.

The family has not heard from the Pirates organization since the accident, and this month Caimano sent them a letter.

His daughter said she would like to see players visit her father in person.