There was tropical rain, vicious hail, bellowing thunder, and baking sunshine. All in a 15-minute spell at Waltham Abbey, Essex, on the Sunday just gone. The dugouts offered shelter to players, coaches, and this relieved scorer. The only other dry spot in sprinting distance was underneath the makeshift shelter erected by long-time British baseball follower Dennis Newman, which comprised an old fishing umbrella, some rope, and enough gaffer tape to mute a choir.
Below are scenes from behind third base.
Various methods were used in an attempt to make the field playable following several heavy downpours after game 1, but more rain came and no further play was possible.
3 comments
Ah, the great British summer! Typical weather, but also typical to see everyone doing their best to try and play some baseball regardless.
Philip Chesterton posted the following comment (which I somehow accidentally deleted from the system – sorry Philip!):
————-
I have been coming to Townmead for baseball for 28 years. In that time I have seen lots of severe weather (as we all have) but never, never, anything like this! The sound of the hail drumming on the dugout roof was deafening. The sight of the “monsoon” advancing across the field was awe-inspiring. The attitude of both teams in trying to acheive a playable field was exemplary. The chances of acheiving this was – nil!
What I dont understand is that our AA team, The Archers played a double-header at Herts, just up the road with “A little light rain”. Go figure.
Next week at Townmead – a plague of frogs, locusts and rivers of blood. Southampton you have been warned!!
[…] attempts I have heard, the classiest would appear to be that of the Croydon Pirates. They have a rainout to make up with Essex from earlier in the season, and an outstanding doubleheader against the same […]