O’s, Pirates play ump-less bottom of ninth inning

Pirates-Orioles play last half-inning without umpires (1:03) The Pirates and Orioles choose to play out the bottom of the ninth inning of their spring training video game in spite of the umpires having actually currently left. (1:03) 5:49 PM ET ESPN News Services BRADENTON, Fla.– There was no umpire behind the plate calling balls and strikes, and even among those so-called robo umps that might enter into the video game in the future, when the Baltimore Orioles and Pittsburgh Pirates kept playing Tuesday. Umpires left the field after Baltimore’s Josh Lester grounded out to end the top of the ninth inning with the Orioles tracking 7-4, formally ending the spring training contest. The groups went ahead and played the bottom of the ninth inning after Pirates supervisor Derek Shelton and Baltimore skipper Brandon Hyde had a fast conversation. The Orioles wished to get some deal with the mound for right-hander Ofreidy Gómez. Groups sometimes consent to reduce or extend spring training video games depending upon requirements. Hyde stated the umpiring team was not on board with the strategy and left the field. “A little backfield action,” Hyde informed the Baltimore Sun after the video game. “We were informed by the league that we might clear it by the umpires and pitch the bottom half of the ninth inning, and I think [crew chief] Chad Fairchild felt that we could not.” With the umpires gone, the balls and strikes were called by the catcher, similar to is carried out in a lot of yard video games. Radical Handley, a non-roster guest who has actually never ever played about the Double-A level, lagged the plate for the Orioles. The Associated Press added to this story.

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