The Los Angeles Dodgers took the field Tuesday at Dodger Stadium looking to get through their final Spring Training game of the year without incident. They accomplished as much by way of injury, but the night nonetheless was eventful in its own way.
With two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning, a puddle began to gather on the warning track in foul territory off third base because of a water main break. The game was suspended as the grounds crew worked to dry the area and preserve the integrity of the field.
But after a 32-minute delay, the game was officially called, because the groundskeepers’ efforts were offset by the steady leak. “Apparently, in the middle of the fifth inning there was a pipe backup on two different levels of the stadium,” Dodgers president and CEO Stan Kasten said after the game.
“We don’t know exactly where the backup was or what caused it. It has something to do with the main pipe here as well as outside. The city is aware of it, the city is on the scene and they’re trying to figure that out.
“We could’ve stayed there and tried to locate it, address it, work on the field. We had no idea how long that would take. After consultation with Dave (Roberts) and Mike (Scioscia) and all the umpires, we decided the best thing was to end the game.”
While a unique situation and inconvenience, the Dodgers had some good fortune on their side. They’re scheduled to face the San Francisco Giants on Thursday for Opening Day at Dodger Stadium.
The leak was stopped by late Tuesday evening, and repair efforts presumably will carry into Wednesday. Kasten doesn’t have any concern over whether or not the matter would be resolved in time for the season opener.
“None whatsoever,” Kasten said.
