We’ve seen plenty of inside-the-park home runs in baseball’s history, some because of the game’s speediest players and some the result of head-scratching defense. But you’ve probably never seen something like this.
In the seventh inning of an 11-3 win for Double-A Biloxi over Montgomery, Rays No. 25 prospect Austin Overn hit what seemed like a run-of-the-mill extra-base knock that snuck inside the first-base line and into right field.
Biloxi right fielder Damon Keith ranged over to field the grounder, sliding to cut it off before it got all the way into the corner. Here’s where things went awry: Keith slid on top of the ball, digging it into the grass of Montgomery's Riverwalk Stadium.
Baseballs have been lodged under outfield walls, in fence links, in the ivy at Wrigley Field and in plenty of other quirky stadium features over the years. But stuck in the outfield grass? Because a player slid on top of it? Huh?!
Keith was banged up on the slide (fortunately, he stayed in the game) and was unable to retrieve the ball out of the ground. Thus, Overn rounded the bags with ease -- his second home run of the day in a massive four-hit performance.
COMPLETE RAYS PROSPECT COVERAGE
The oddity of this play was only just getting started, though. An umpire and members of both teams walked out to right field to examine what happened with the ball, which was barely visible via the broadcast’s camera.
It took some serious effort from multiple players to try and pry it free. After several minutes of delay, Biloxi first baseman Blake Burke -- a burly 6-foot-3 and 236 pounds -- was finally the hero. Coach Matt Lipka then carried the ball, caked in mud, off the field before play finally resumed.
You really never know what might happen when you go to the ballpark.