Well, that’s one way to start a ballgame.
Five pitches into Sunday’s Giants-Cubs spring training matchup, an emergency message blared throughout Scottsdale Stadium in Arizona, creating confusion among players and fans alike.
“Attention, attention, an emergency has been reported in this building,” the automated message said. “Please cease operations and leave the building using the nearest exit or fire exit or stairway. 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 looped over the stadium speakers.
“This is very bizarre,” Miller said.
“I don’t think we’ve ever experienced something like this before,” Kuiper added.
The alarm was triggered due to someone smoking inside a bathroom at the ballpark, John Shea of The San Francisco Standard reported.
An all clear was issued – but things only got stranger moments later.
After allowing the first two Chicago batters to reach base, Giants pitcher Robbie Ray gave up a bloop single to Seiya Suzuki, igniting a chaotic sequence.
Suzuki’s flare dropped between second baseman Luis Arraez and right fielder Jung Hoo Lee. Lee charged in, scooped it up and fired to first baseman Rafael Devers, who quickly threw to second as Suzuki tried to stretch the hit.
Meanwhile, leadoff hitter Matt Shaw and new Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman both ended up standing at 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 retired on the play, stepped off third base — and was immediately tagged out to complete a bizarre triple play.
“Wow! Matt Shaw made a boneheaded, rookie mistake there,” Miller said.
Kuiper took it a step further, eviscerating Shaw over the inexplicable error.
“What an idiot,” Kuiper said. “We may not see something quite like that for a while.”
Within days of spring training games starting, there have been some memorable mishaps.
Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami nearly missed his White Sox spring debut due to a traffic jam, arriving to the stadium just minutes before first pitch.
On Saturday, a sewage issue outside George M. Steinbrenner Field flooded sections of the clubhouse and concourse, leaving a foul stench throughout the stadium.
“It’s spring training for the toilets, too,” a Yankees spokesman said.
