The Pittsburgh Pirates and Baltimore Orioles found themselves in an odd position during a spring training contest on Tuesday.
With Pittsburgh winning 7-4 after the top of the ninth inning, the game’s umpires left the field for the day. However, Orioles manager Brandon Hyde asked to keep the game going just to get some more work in for his guys.
The two teams agreed to just go out there and play ball, giving MLB fans in attendance a sandlot-style afternoon at the ballpark.
Professional sports just don’t ever happen without officiating, which made Tuesday’s exhibition game all that much more special for those in attendance and those watching at home.
What’s missing?
Orioles & Pirates agree to play bottom of the 9th without umpires. Game was over with PIT a 7-4 winner but O’s mgr Brandon Hyde asked to play the bottom of the inn anyway. Self-umpired. #SpringTraining ⚾️ @wjz @WJZ13sports pic.twitter.com/THyaZFrN5z— Mark Viviano (@MarkWJZ) February 28, 2023
The Orioles and Pirates both wanted to play the bottom of the 9th inning despite the Pirates technically winning the game 7-4
The umpires left the field thinking the game was over and both teams proceeded to play with no umps pic.twitter.com/dQVKxYovC3
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) February 28, 2023
Well if you hate the pitch clock and umpires… the @Pirates and @Orioles are currently playing a half inning after the game ended without either of those things in effect. It’s like sandlot baseball, no score, no stats or music. Just ball. pic.twitter.com/aNKbak9V8J
— BenPokorny (@BenPokorny) February 28, 2023
Wow, if that doesn’t make you want to round up all your friends in the neighborhood and go play a few innings in the empty field by your house, we’re not sure what will.
While this game doesn’t really count for much than conditioning for the upcoming season, the Pirates and Orioles likely won’t forget the time they just got to play baseball without much else to focus on than the game.