Home Run Derby

Suffice it say, South Atlantic League rivals Kannapolis Intimidators and the Greensboro Grasshoppers do not like one another.

Calling these two teams bitter rivals doesn’t even come close.

On Tuesday, one of the Kannapolis Intimidators (White Sox Low Class-A Affiliate) got hit in the face by a pitch thrown by a Greensboro Grasshoppers (Marlins) pitcher. Benches cleared.

All was not forgiven on Thursday night, as you’ll see.

Let’s cut to the bottom of the first inning. Kannapolis pitcher Jose Zazueta is about to deliver to Greensboro’s leading Home Run hitter, Logan Morrison, batting cleanup …

45 minutes later, after the teams had been corralled back to their benches - league officials had to reinstate ejected players (via the phone) so play could resume.

Usually, bench clearings don’t go anywhere. MLB players have too much money invested in their right arms or their babyface looks to do any actual fighting. But in Low A ball, anything goes.

And here’s an update. During tonight’s game, an Intimidator slid into second with his spikes up. The benches cleared again.

Just as an FYI - the Intimidators were once partly owned by deceased NASCAR Legend Dale Earnhardt, who went by the nickname “The Intimidator.”

Thanks to Bret the Jet for the tip.

This entry was posted on Friday, August 31st, 2007 at 9:24 pm and is filed under Fights, Marlins, Minor Leagues, White Sox. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.