Baseball, and other sports are used by athletes and fans to escape their problems of the world. This is something the Baltimore Orioles took away from their fans as they recently closed their game to the public.
Due to riots in Baltimore following the death of Freddie Gray, the Baltimore Orioles canceled games against the Chicago White Sox on Monday April 27 week, the baseball organization decided to play their game on Wednesday, April 29.
The privilege of escaping the world and going to see a baseball game was taken away from Baltimore citizens. Camden Yards, the name of the park the Orioles play at, was completely closed to the public. Zero people were in attendance of this game shattering the previous record of six held by the Worcester Ruby Legs in 1882.
“The footage that I saw of the game was eerie and actually pretty funny. Without people in the stands you could hear everything; the sound of the bat, the players talking, everything,” junior James Jennings said.
The players and announcers made light of this tragic situation through humor. One player on the Orioles threw a baseball to the empty stands as if to toss it to a fan. The announcers at one point acted like it was a golf tournament, announcing the game by whispering.
“Bizarre is the only word that I can think of that describes it. Nothing like this has ever happened in baseball before and nobody knew how to react. It was funny how the players and announcers made fun of it though,” junior Ricky Tritten said.
Games scheduled at Camden Yards against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays have been moved to Tampa where they will be open to the public. The Orioles won the game 82 over the White sox. Events like this can really make one scared for our nation as even our past time goes away in times like this.
“Hopefully the rioters realize that they aren’t causing any positive change and are only hurting themselves. The game on Wednesday shows what can happen when people riot, they don’t get what they want and they only cause more damage,” junior Derek Mast said.
This historic game will go down in major league baseball history with, hopefully a happy ending.
Day” and RESPECT training. The chain reaction involved necklaces that encouraged the students to do or say something kind. Students then passed the beads to someone else throughout the day. The club also had Missy McClain, who is the RESPECT Coordinator from Akron Children’s Hospital, speak during the lunch periods. Her topic for the day was “Happily Ever After…5 Keys to a Healthy Relationships.” Teachers could bring their classes or send study hall students during the periods to the library and hear the presentation.
SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING--Anyone can call the tip line: 1-844-723-3764 or email safehs@smfschools.org 