The Texas Rangers were quite shocked during batting practice on Tuesday when the ground behind the pitcher's mound gave way into a sinkhole, according to the International Science Times.
The Rangers were getting in their swings before a game against the Cleveland Indians when the sinkhole occurred. A pipe under the infield at Rangers Ballpark broke causing the 3-foot-deep hole. After cancelling batting practice the grounds crew was able to fix the pipe and then patch up the hole with grass, according to the Associated Press.
Players were able to get their warm up swings at the indoor batting cages within Rangers Ballpark that are normally used during inclement weather. The field was ready for play by game time.
The Indians entered the game on an 8 game losing streak. Manager Terry Francona made a reference to the scene in Bull Durham when Kevin Costner purposely floods a field in order to create a rain out when speaking to reporters from the Associated Press.
"I didn't do it," Francona said. "We're not there yet. We're frustrated, but we're not there."
Francona is probably hoping for more geological disasters before upcoming games; the Indians were able to sink the Rangers 5-2.
Sinkholes are relatively common in the U.S. with about 20 percent of land area susceptible to sinkholes, according to Science Daily. Areas with "karst terrain" are the most likely to have sinkholes. "Karst terrain" occurs when the type of rock underground is of a type that can be naturally dissolved by groundwater. Some of these types include gypsum, limestone and carbonate rock, according to Science Daily.
Sinkholes can also be caused by humans, as was the one in Arlington. When the pipe burst under the field the water that rushed out of the pipe carried away much of the soil under the field causing the ground to give way.
Other manmade causes of sinkholes can be construction, water pumping, collapsed mines and abandoned septic tanks, according to the International Science Times.
Recently a sinkhole measuring 40 feet deep and 50 feet wide swallowed up a swimming pool and most of a backyard at a residence in Florida.
