MWL1 West Michigan Whitecaps

After Lengthy Rain Delay, 'Caps Cancelled in Midland

Published on August 2, 2013 under Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


MIDLAND, MI - Nearly three hours after scheduled first pitch, Friday night's game between the West Michigan Whitecaps and Great Lakes Loons was in the bottom of the first inning when it was cancelled due to unplayable field conditions at Dow Diamond.

The game will not be made up because it was the final scheduled meeting between the Whitecaps and Loons. Great Lakes won the season-series, 10-9, while West Michigan took three out of four in their final set of the year.

Friday's game started on time, but it began to rain almost immediately after the first pitch was thrown. A torrential downpour broke out as the top of the first inning progressed, and the umpires ultimately cleared the field with a runner at second and two outs.

Though the rain itself lasted only about 15-20 minutes, the infield was covered in water by the time the grounds crew was able to get the tarp on the field. When the rain cleared and the tarp was pulled, the grounds crew worked vehemently to get the infield in playable shape. After a delay of two hours and 12 minutes, the ballgame resumed.

Jason King grounded out to end the top of the first and Montreal Robertson came out to retire the first two batters in the bottom of the inning, but a number of players slipped or stumbled on the field during those three at-bats. After Great Lakes' Jeremy Rathjen stumbled out of the box on a comebacker to the mound for the second out of the bottom of the first, Loons' manager Razor Shines ordered his team to leave the field.

After a bit more work on the batter's box and a brief argument between Shines and the umpires, the game was officially called due to unplayable field conditions.

The Whitecaps return to Fifth Third Ballpark for a 7:00 p.m. first pitch on Saturday night to open a four-game series against the Dayton Dragons. RHP Edgar De La Rosa (6-4, 6.01) is scheduled to pitch for West Michigan against LHP Ismael Guillon (4-7, 6.06) for Dayton. The ballgame will be followed by the rescheduled Field of Dreams promotion and Family Fare Fireworks. Group and individual tickets can be reserved by calling the Whitecaps front office at 616-784-4131 or visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com.

Check out the West Michigan Whitecaps Statistics

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