Major League Baseball umpire Tim McClelland decided to try something different Tuesday, in a spring training game between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Los Angeles Angels.
McClelland called balls and strikes from behind the mound, in the Brewers' 6-1 win over the Angels, according to the Associated Press.
"When he called 'ball' behind me, I just looked behind me," said starting pitcher Wily Peralta according to the AP.
The unusual action by McClelland was prompted by a string of wacky events. The original caller of balls and strikes had been home plate umpire Seth Buckminster. However, he left the game when first baseman Albert Pujols was hit by a Peralta pitch and the ball deflected breaking Buckminster's left hand.
Without a home plate umpire, fellow ump Anthony Johnson had to leave to change into the home plate umpire gear. This left the game with only two umpires.
McClelland, not wanting the game to be delayed any longer, suggested to the two mangers that he call balls and strikes from behind the mound --they obliged.
“Just keep it moving," said McClelland according to AP. "We didn't want people to sit. Both managers agreed to it, and I knew it wasn't going to be long. This way we didn't have to sit and could keep the game going."
He would call the game for four batters.
Josh Hamilton grounded out, ending the top of the first. In the bottom of the first Norichika Aoki led off the inning with a single. Rickie weeks followed with a homer to left.
Slugger Ryan was two pitches into his at bat when Johnson returned to the game in his home plate umpire gear, to the applause of many spectators.
"It's still baseball," said Weeks, according to AP. "Guys still have to go out there and play hard. It's just unfortunate for the umpire who was out there. Only in spring training."
