Play Ball! Opening Day at Jacobs Field

Let's set the stage, sports fans. First, rummage around the house and find that snow globe somebody gave you as a Christmas present and, second, open the door to your freezer and stick your head in. Now, position the snow globe in front of your eyes, shake it vigorously and then stop and watch the flakes settle as you breath deeply of the frozen air.

Stage set, back to the action. As of 5:55 PM, the game is in a snow delay, the second, with groundskeepers hosing off the outfield. It's estimated that at least six inches has fallen in the last few hours. Comically, one guy had to be chased off the field by security for making a snow angel.

The score is Cleveland Indians 1 - Seattle Mariners 0 at the end of the first inning.


[Update 8:00 PM]

In the top of the fifth inning, another snow squall started dumping on the field. With two outs and two strikes on the batter with the Indians leading 4 - 0, meaning one more strike would constitute an official complete game if called because of snow, Mariner's manager Mike Hargrove stops play and goes on the field and starts jawing with the umpires. Minutes go by. More minutes go by as the snow gets worse. Finally, the umpires call a snow delay.

The fans are livid. Hargrove is being called the "Human Snow Delay."

Back to the action, shake your snow globe and see a representation of the conditions. Groundskeepers are blowing the snow off the infield and outfield. They plan to continue the game at some time.


[Update Late]

Game called. To be replayed as part of double-header tomorrow.