J.P. Hoornstra checks in from Spring Trianing …
TEMPE, Ariz. >> Angels pitcher Matt Shoemaker was feeling calm as he warmed up for Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Royals on a warm afternoon in the desert.
Then a bee buzzed around his head.
“(Erick) Aybar yelled ‘Shoe there’s a swarm coming!’ That’s when I ran off the field,” Shoemaker said.
The swarm migrated like a tornado from left-center field at Tempe Diablo Stadium to the protective netting behind home plate. It finally settled on the “shotgun microphone,” perched high up in the net, used to pick up the crack of a bat for radio and television broadcasts. After 10 minutes Shoemaker warmed up again and the umpires allowed the game to begin.
The bees had the best seat in the house.
