Well, that’s one way to start a ball game.
Five pitches into Giants-Cubs spring training on Sunday, and an emergency message sounded throughout Scottsdale Stadium in Arizona, causing confusion among players and fans alike.
“Attention, attention, an emergency has been reported in this building,” the automated message said. “Please stop activities and leave the building via the nearest exit, emergency exit or stairs. Do not use elevators.”
Giants broadcasters Jon Miller and Duane Kuiper were audibly stunned by the announcement, but the game continued uninterrupted even as the warning blared through the stadium’s speakers.
“This is very bizarre,” Miller said.
“I don’t think we’ve ever experienced anything like this before,” Kuiper said.
The alarm went off because someone was smoking in a bathroom at the ballpark. John Shea of The San Francisco Standard reports this.
An all clear was issued, but things only got stranger a little later.
After allowing the first two Chicago batters to reach base, Giants pitcher Robbie Ray gave up a bloop single to Seiya Suzuki, setting up a chaotic sequence.
Suzuki’s flare fell between second baseman Luis Arraez and right fielder Jung Hoo Lee. Lee rushed in, picked it up and fired at first baseman Rafael Devers, who quickly threw to second base as Suzuki tried to extend the hit.
Meanwhile, leadoff hitter Matt Shaw and new Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman were both on third base after Bregman misread the play. Bregman was tagged out for the second out of the inning.
Then Shaw, apparently believing he had been knocked out on the play, stepped off third base – and was immediately tagged out to complete a bizarre triple play.
“Wow! Matt Shaw made a stupid rookie mistake there,” Miller said.
Kuiper went a step further and eviscerated Shaw for the inexplicable mistake.
“What an idiot,” said Kuiper. “We may not see anything like this for a while.”
Within days of spring training games starting, there were some memorable accidents.
Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami nearly missed his spring debut with the White Sox due to a traffic jam, arriving at the stadium just minutes before the first pitch.
On Saturday, a sewer problem outside George M. Steinbrenner Field flooded parts of the clubhouse and concourse, leaving a foul stench throughout the stadium.
“It’s also spring training for the bathrooms,” a Yankees spokesman said.
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