On This Date in 2017: Stone Crabs play on back fields after net collapse
It was one of the weirdest weekends in Stone Crabs history. The Jupiter Hammerheads came to Port Charlotte expecting to play a routine, three-game weekend series against their division rivals. But as is customary in the Florida State League, the series opener was suspended after just one inning due to
HOLY SMOKES
— Bryan Levine (@Bryan_Levine) May 20, 2017
Here's something you never see: Hammerheads C Roy Morales caught a foul ball & tore down the net behind the plate! #StoneCrabs pic.twitter.com/mNedFgp9aH
It was one of the weirdest weekends in Stone Crabs history.
The Jupiter Hammerheads came to Port Charlotte expecting to play a routine, three-game weekend series against their division rivals. But as is customary in the Florida State League, the series opener was suspended after just one inning due to rain.
With that game scheduled to completed on Sunday, the Hammerheads and Stone Crabs started their 6 p.m. Saturday game as scheduled. With no clouds in sight, surely this game would get played without issue.
With the Stone Crabs looking to mount a comeback in the bottom of the fourth, Jupiter lefty Scott Squier dealt a pitch to Charlotte infielder Alec Sole. Sole popped the ball up toward the third-base on-deck circle. Hammerheads backstop Roy Morales shed his catcher's and went running full speed towards the padded, three-foot wall. Reaching up into the net, he made an excellent running catch. As he squeezed the ball for the first out, the wall took out his legs and his momentum sent his upper body flying into the net. The netting snapped from the wires at the top, and the entire apparatus came crashing down. Here's how it sounded on the Stone Crabs Baseball Network.
The net landed on Morales and a few fans in the front row, but fortunately everyone was okay. Sarcastic and entertained applause broke out amongst the Saturday evening crowd.
Fan hosts directed all fans situated behind home plate to move to sections above the dugouts, to avoid being hit with line drive foul balls. But after consultation with the league, it was determined that a game could not be played without a protective net.
For the second straight day, the game was suspended. The Hammerheads went back to the hotel without a result.
The Stone Crabs front office did what minor league teams thrive at - improvise. They got special permission to use Field 5 of Rays' Spring Training complex and hosted an unusual doubleheader on a practice field Sunday afternoon.
Stone Crabs fans crammed into a few sets of small metal bleachers and watched official Florida State League action from a unique, one-time venue.
As pictured below, Stone Crabs general manager Jeff Cook brought a grill down to the back fields and grilled free hot dogs for the fans that showed up to watch the game. Free admission, free hot dogs and a twin-bill on a Sunday afternoon - baseball bliss.
Both suspended games were completed, albeit in a quiet and primitive setting. Even though the third game of the series was cancelled, the flexibility and cooperation of all involved salvaged the series and gave fans and players alike a memory they won't soon forget - when a freak net collapse caused Florida State League games to take place on the back fields.
FSL announces Covid-19 relief efforts in all cities
Today the Florida State League announced that all its member teams will be participating in a League wide effort to support Covid-19 relief. The 12 teams have partnered with LiveSource to set up an auction site that will make bidding for auction items a simple and efficient process. The collectible
Radio Broadcast of the Week: May 18, 2018
The Stone Crabs hosted the Jupiter Hammerheads on May 18, 2020. Two-way player Brendan McKay made his High-A pitching debut following a rehab start from Nathan Eovaldi! Listen to the broadcast here.
Strotman, Whitley safe and eager in quarantine
March 12 was the day that sports stood still. The NBA postponed its season and the NCAA cancelled March Madness. The baseball world was on pins and needles as teams continued to gear up for Opening Day - which was just two weeks way.While the Tampa Bay Rays hosted the
STONE CRABS COMPLETE BEST SEASON IN FRANCHISE HISTORY
In a season defined by historically dominant pitching and a team that reached new heights, the 2019 Stone Crabs saw the best campaign in franchise history cut short by the threat of Hurricane Dorian.Despite the abrupt end, the Stone Crabs set new franchise records for wins (82) and winning percentage
Tommy Romero named FSL Pitcher of the Year
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (August 29, 2019) - Stone Crabs starting pitcher Tommy Romero has been named the 2019 Florida State League Pitcher of the Year, the league office announced Thursday.Romero becomes the first pitcher in Charlotte history to earn the honor outright, after Jake Faria shared the award with Daytona's
Hulsizer power, Smith speed lifts Crabs past Frogs 4-3
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (August 27, 2019) - Niko Hulsizer homered and drove in the winning run Tuesday, and Michael Smith's speed did the rest in the Stone Crabs' 4-3 win over the Florida Fire Frogs at Charlotte Sports Park.In a tie game in the bottom of the eighth, Smith and
Fire Frogs catch Crabs 5-4 in 10
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (August 26, 2019) - Garrett Whitley and Jake Palomaki both picked up multiple hits Monday, but the Florida Fire Frogs pulled out a 5-4 win in 10 innings at Charlotte Sports Park.With the game tied 4-4 in the top of the tenth, Florida (53-80, 28-39) left fielder
Stone Crabs sweep Threshers with third straight shutout
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (August 25, 2019) - The Charlotte Stone Crabs celebrated their division championship with their third straight shutout win over the Clearwater Threshers, an 8-0 blanking at Charlotte Sports Park Sunday.Michael Plassmeyer (7-2) needed only 47 pitches to go five scoreless innings, allowing just one hit while striking
STONE CRABS CLINCH SECOND HALF DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (August 24, 2019) - The Charlotte Stone Crabs have clinched the second half championship in the Florida State League South, earning their fifth postseason appearance in the franchise's 11-year history. The Stone Crabs' (79-51, 43-20) 5-0 win over the Clearwater Threshers Saturday night at Charlotte Sports clinched
Stone Crabs shut out Clearwater 3-0
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (August 23, 2019) - The Charlotte Stone Crabs snapped a three-game skid with a 3-0 blanking of the Clearwater Threshers at Charlotte Sports Park Friday, giving themselves a chance to clinch the division title Saturday.Friday's shutout win gives the Stone Crabs' (78-51, 43-30) a 7.5 game lead
Miracle sweep Stone Crabs with 5-2 win
FORT MYERS, Fla. (August 22, 2019) - The Fort Myers Miracle scored five runs in the first three innings and never looked back, sweeping the Stone Crabs with a 5-2 win at Hammond Stadium Thursday.The Miracle (71-55, 32-28) didn't waste time getting the offense going against Charlotte (77-51, 42-20) starter
Late comeback falls short in 7-5 loss to Miracle
FORT MYERS, Fla. (August 21, 2019) - Wander Franco reached base four times and the Stone Crabs mounted a late comeback, but the Fort Myers Miracle held on for a 7-5 win at Hammond Stadium.With Charlotte (77-50, 42-19) trailing 7-3 entering the ninth inning, Zac Law singled to start the
Fort Myers outlasts Stone Crabs 6-5 in 13
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (August 20, 2019) - The Charlotte Stone Crabs got excellent pitching for 12 innings Tuesday, but the Fort Myers Miracle broke through for three runs in the 13th to beat Charlotte 4-1 at Charlotte Sports Park.Charlotte (77-49, 42-18) starter Cristopher Sanchez struck out six batters over 4.1
Stone Crabs sweep St. Lucie with 5-2 comeback win
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (August 18, 2019) - Niko Hulsizer and Brandon Lowe led the Charlotte Stone Crabs to a 5-2 comeback win over the St. Lucie Mets Sunday, giving the Stone Crabs a commanding 6.5 game lead in the division race.With Charlotte (77-48, 42-17) leading the FSL South by 3.5
Hippies halt St. Lucie 8-1
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (August 17, 2019) - The Charlotte Harbor Hippies overwhelmed the St. Lucie Mets 8-1 at Charlotte Sports Park Saturday, earning Charlotte the highest second-half win total in franchise history.The Stone Crabs (76-48, 41-17), renamed the "Hippies" this weekend to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Woodstock, surpassed the
Gomez breaks home run record in 7-0 win
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (August 16, 2019) - Moises Gomez broke the Stone Crabs' single-season home run record Friday, extending Charlotte's lead in the division with a 7-0 win over the St. Lucie Mets at Charlotte Sports Park.The Stone Crabs' (75-58, 40-17) win ties the franchise record for second half wins,
Daytona drops Stone Crabs 5-0
DAYTONA, Fla. (August 15, 2019) - The Charlotte Stone Crabs couldn't solve Ryan Lillie and the Daytona Tortugas pitching staff Thursday, getting shut out 5-0 at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. Lillie (3-7) struck out eight batters over six scoreless innings to earn Daytona (59-62, 24-32) a four-game split with Charlotte (74-48,
Whitley homers in 2-1 loss to Daytona
DAYTONA, Fla. (August 14, 2019) - Garrett Whitley homered Wednesday, but the Daytona Tortugas ended the Stone Crabs' eight game-winning streak with a 2-1 win at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.Whitley's solo home run in the top of the seventh represented the only scoring for Charlotte (74-47, 39-16). With two outs, Whitley
Stone Crabs blow out Daytona 13-2 to take eighth straight
DAYTONA, Fla. (August 13, 2019) - Ronaldo Hernandez matched a career high with five RBI and delivered his eighth home run of the year Tuesday, leading the Stone Crabs to a 13-2 win over the Daytona Tortugas at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.The Charlotte (74-46, 39-15) win is their second most lopsided
Plassmeyer dazzles in 3-2 win in Daytona
DAYTONA, Fla. (August 12, 2019) - Michael Plassmeyer spun seven outstanding innings and the Stone Crabs broke a tie in the ninth inning Monday, taking the first game from the Daytona Tortugas 3-2 at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.Plassmeyer did not allow an earned run over seven innings, striking out six while