Massive bee invasion causes delay in minor league baseball game in Texas
A massive swarm of bees invaded Whataburger Field in Corpus Christi, Texas on Sunday night causing an 85-minute delay between two Double-A teams, the Corpus Christi Hooks and the Northwest Arkansas Naturals. The interruption, of course, provided plenty of wild visuals.
Hooks outfielder Carmen Benedetti posted this video
Benedetti, a 23-year-old outfielder, captured this moment in his own dugout.
Bees wanted a front row seat to the game today @MiLB pic.twitter.com/UoXTz4jrsi
— Carmen Benedetti (@Carmatron32) July 8, 2018
And Naturals play-by-play announcer Benjamin Kelly ventured even closer for this photo:
Tonight’s #NWANaturals game v. @cchooks has been delayed for at least 30-45 minutes. This is why: pic.twitter.com/eh9OtyQVbx
— Benjamin Kelly (@BKellyPxP) July 8, 2018
An exterminator came to the rescue
After a lengthy delay, the Hooks got an exterminator to rid the dugout of the bees.
He’s arrived. The bee man. pic.twitter.com/eUoaIViAFX
— Benjamin Kelly (@BKellyPxP) July 8, 2018
The game began roughly an hour-and-a-half after it was scheduled to, and the Hooks ended up overcoming the bees and beating the Naturals 9-2.
Speaking to MiLB.com after the game, Benedetti called it “just another day in the life of a Minor Leaguer.
“Heck, it’s not just down here, either. There have been instances with bugs swarming big league ballparks, too. But the bees are something new. We were all so surprised by it. The mosquitoes really started coming out a few days ago, but I don’t think I’ve seen a bee down here all year. They called the exterminator to take care of it.”
Benedetti also told MiLB that the team had to deal with a raccoon earlier in the year, but the animals haven’t affected the team. Corpus Christi is currently leading the Texas League with a record of 13-4.
“We’re all loose about stuff like this, be it weather delays or a swarm of bees,” Benedetti said. “We’re in the clubhouse keeping focus and getting ready for whenever we get the OK to start the game.
It’s not the first time bugs have invaded baseball
The Royals have dealt with bees for the past several seasons, but bees don’t hold a candle to Joba Chamberlain’s spine-shivering 2007 ALDS battle against the midges in Cleveland.
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