Swarm Enemy; Bees Delay Padres/Astros Finale - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Wreckless · 07-03-2009, 12:03 AM

Waterston Fan, watch out! Jk

SAN DIEGO ----� There was a buzz at Petco Park on Thursday afternoon, and it had nothing to do with Manny Ramirez's return on Friday.

Thursday afternoon's series finale between the Padres and Houston Astros was interrupted when a swarm of bees took over left field in the top of the eighth inning. The swarm eventually settled under several jackets hanging over a folding chair down the left-field line, causing umpires to delay the game.

Players exited the field, several sections of stands were cleared and a bee keeper was called in during a 52-minute delay that began with the Astros leading 6-1 and Padres reliever Joe Thatcher facing Miguel Tejada.

Padres left fielder Kyle Blanks was the first player on the field to notice the swarm as he began moving toward left-center and then the infield as he tried signaling shortstop Everth Cabrera to call timeout. �

"I saw one or two floating around my head and turned around and there was a wall (of bees)," Blanks said. "It was a pretty thick wall of bees and I didn't want a piece of it."

Reliever Heath Bell said everyone in the Padres' bullpen noticed the bees flying in from the direction of the Park in the Park and toward the outfield.

Bell said he didn't notice that Thatcher recorded the first two outs of the inning as he paid close attention to the bees. Umpires called time at 3:09 p.m. and pulled players off the field five minutes later. Head groundskeeper Luke Yoder said he has seen bees at Petco Park on two previous occasions, but neither occurred on game day.

Padres president Tom Garfinkel said team officials called a bee keeper, who arrived at Petco Park at 3:56 p.m. and received a round of applause from what remained of the crowd of 23,824.

Thatcher returned to the field and began warming up at 3:58 p.m. and the game resumed at 4:01 p.m.

"It was a safety issue and the umpires made the right call to stop the game," said Garfinkel, who described the swarm under the jacket as the size of a soccer ball. "With a couple of thousand bees there, if they decided to swarm a person, whether it was a player or a fan, we'd have a real situation. It was the correct call."

Wreckless · 07-03-2009, 12:05 AM

BTW, this is MUCH worst then the Yankees- Cleveland game 2/3 years ago. That was nasty, but this is crazy!

MrCleveland & Monika, remember that series??

catlover79 · 07-03-2009, 12:06 AM

I saw the clips of that on the news. I am extremely glad I wasn't there - I have a major fear of bees.

catlover79 · 07-03-2009, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wreckless

BTW, this is MUCH worst then the Yankees- Cleveland game 2/3 years ago. That was nasty, but this is crazy!

MrCleveland & Monika, remember that series??

Barely.

Wreckless · 07-03-2009, 12:10 AM

Yeah I hate Bees as well. I don't think I'm allergic to them, but I've gotten stung by them before. No fun!

Marvo301 · 07-03-2009, 12:11 AM

I saw this on TV earlier. That was just crazy! That's the first time I've ever seen a beekeeper called in! I'm with Monika on this one, I'm glad I wasn't there.

07-03-2009, 12:03 AM	#1
Wreckless Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Nov 04, 2007 Location: Banned Posts: 9,406	Swarm Enemy; Bees Delay Padres/Astros Finale Waterston Fan, watch out! Jk SAN DIEGO ----� There was a buzz at Petco Park on Thursday afternoon, and it had nothing to do with Manny Ramirez's return on Friday. Thursday afternoon's series finale between the Padres and Houston Astros was interrupted when a swarm of bees took over left field in the top of the eighth inning. The swarm eventually settled under several jackets hanging over a folding chair down the left-field line, causing umpires to delay the game. Players exited the field, several sections of stands were cleared and a bee keeper was called in during a 52-minute delay that began with the Astros leading 6-1 and Padres reliever Joe Thatcher facing Miguel Tejada. Padres left fielder Kyle Blanks was the first player on the field to notice the swarm as he began moving toward left-center and then the infield as he tried signaling shortstop Everth Cabrera to call timeout. � "I saw one or two floating around my head and turned around and there was a wall (of bees)," Blanks said. "It was a pretty thick wall of bees and I didn't want a piece of it." Reliever Heath Bell said everyone in the Padres' bullpen noticed the bees flying in from the direction of the Park in the Park and toward the outfield. Bell said he didn't notice that Thatcher recorded the first two outs of the inning as he paid close attention to the bees. Umpires called time at 3:09 p.m. and pulled players off the field five minutes later. Head groundskeeper Luke Yoder said he has seen bees at Petco Park on two previous occasions, but neither occurred on game day. Padres president Tom Garfinkel said team officials called a bee keeper, who arrived at Petco Park at 3:56 p.m. and received a round of applause from what remained of the crowd of 23,824. Thatcher returned to the field and began warming up at 3:58 p.m. and the game resumed at 4:01 p.m. "It was a safety issue and the umpires made the right call to stop the game," said Garfinkel, who described the swarm under the jacket as the size of a soccer ball. "With a couple of thousand bees there, if they decided to swarm a person, whether it was a player or a fan, we'd have a real situation. It was the correct call."

07-03-2009, 12:06 AM	#3
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	I saw the clips of that on the news. I am extremely glad I wasn't there - I have a major fear of bees.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

07-03-2009, 12:11 AM	#6
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,460	I saw this on TV earlier. That was just crazy! That's the first time I've ever seen a beekeeper called in! I'm with Monika on this one, I'm glad I wasn't there.
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

07-03-2009, 12:05 AM	#2
Wreckless Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Nov 04, 2007 Location: Banned Posts: 9,406	BTW, this is MUCH worst then the Yankees- Cleveland game 2/3 years ago. That was nasty, but this is crazy! MrCleveland & Monika, remember that series??

07-03-2009, 12:10 AM	#5
Wreckless Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Nov 04, 2007 Location: Banned Posts: 9,406	Yeah I hate Bees as well. I don't think I'm allergic to them, but I've gotten stung by them before. No fun!