joe moreno from komo in seattle has the story. >> reporter: as a stand-up comic, bill has faced tough crowds before. he also knows how to handle hecklers. >> hecklers can't faze me. i got hit with a baseball bat. >> reporter: he was getting ready to introduce the next comedian to the stage. >> i was getting the next mike stand. >> reporter: a man ran up with a baseball bat and came up swinging for avila's head. two blows connecting knocking him to the floor. >> we were shocked because that's just something that doesn't happen on a comedy shade. >> reporter: some shielded avila, the rest worked to take down the attacker. that man tried out a stand-up routine a few weeks ago trying to be jesus christ. but the bit bombed. >> it was offensive on every level. i don't get offended easily. i don't set a lot of rules. people say a lot of offensive things.