[nesn_embed service=springboard src="//cms.springboardplatform.com/embed_iframe/899/video/1608709/nesn039/nesn.com/10"]

An ugly scene was avoided during a spring training game over the weekend, thanks to fast reflexes and a big forearm.

An unsuspecting young fan attending a spring training game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Atlanta Braves on Saturday came within inches of being in a bad way due to an errant baseball bat.

Luckily for the young fan, the man sitting next to him was paying attention. The older fan threw his arm in front of the kid -- who looks like he was on a phone at the time -- and appeared to save the youngster from what could have been a nasty head injury.

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review photographer Christopher Horner got one of the photos of the year, catching the moment the man's arm got in front of the boy's face.

Incredible.

Photos via Twitter/@Hornerfoto1