Sports

Watch a Field of Professional Baseball Players Bolt After Massive Thunderclap

Thunder and Lightning Clears Baseball Field During Twins Rangers Game

Minnesota Twins' Josh Willingham drops to the ground after the loud thunderclap. (Photo: LM Otero/AP)

(The Blaze/AP) — Talk about an electrifying performance.

Texas Rangers catcher Mike Napoli and Minnesota batter Ryan Doumit quickly scrambled to their respective dugouts and base runner Josh Willingham dropped to his knees when a bolt of lightning struck near Rangers Ballpark during Sunday night’s game.

Video shows the players scattering in every direction after what longtime Rangers Ballpark announcer Chuck Morgan deemed the loudest thunderclap in stadium history echoed through the stadium.

Surprisingly, though there were scattered storms in the surrounding area, no rain was falling when the lightning and thunder jolted nearly everyone in the ballpark in the top of the fourth inning.

“That’s the loudest noise I’ve ever heard. I thought Jesus was comin!,” Twins center fielder Denard Span tweeted during the ensuing delay.

Rangers right-hander Roy Oswalt was on the rubber preparing to throw a pitch when the flash and sound caused him to cringe. Napoli immediately took off running toward the dugout, as did Doumit. Willingham dropped in a heap, and first base coach Jerry White also squatted low before scrambling off the field.

Umpire crew chief Jeff Kellogg, who was at first base, immediately stopped the game and got the (remaining) players off the field.

Watch a clip of the rare event, via YouTube, below:

The grounds crew pulled the tarp over the infield, fighting gusty winds to get it in place. It started to rain about 10 minutes after play was stopped.

“My heart stopped when I heard the thunder at the stadium. Glad no one heard me scream like a little girl too!! Lol,” Twins right fielder Ben Revere tweeted.

Once in the dugout, Napoli was seen smiling while explaining himself to teammates.

Just before the game resumed following a 46-minute delay, when blue skies were again visible through some of the clouds, Rangers first baseman Michael Young was laughing while talking with Willingham and White, who by then had smiles on their faces.

On the first pitch thrown by Oswalt when the game resumed, Doumit grounded into an inning-ending double play.

Fans had been warned of the possibilities of storms in the area before the game began, but it seems no one was expecting what ensued.

Comments (48)

  • dagny_t
    Posted on July 10, 2012 at 4:31pm

    I was there sitting in the upper deck on the first base side! I saw the lightning strike over the stadium and it sounded like an explosion inside the park and everything shook. I know thunderstorms, but had never heard anything like this before. When it was all over we were laughing ourselves, but for minutes it was actually very scary.

    Report Post »  
  • bikermailman
    Posted on July 9, 2012 at 11:13pm

    I’ve been a half mile above the treeline with lighting crackling all around, and on the Great Plains (3500′ above sea level), lighting crackling all around. At home while working, the storm cloud was over ten miles away. On the mountain, it was right over me. Either way, scares the crap out of you. Hunched down, only the balls of your feet touching ground is the way to go. Glad no one was hurt.

    Report Post » bikermailman  
  • lotus143
    Posted on July 9, 2012 at 8:57pm

    Grown Men!
    They should be ashamed.
    Zeus and Apollo are arguing again!
    RUN!!!

    Report Post » lotus143  
  • LolaB
    Posted on July 9, 2012 at 4:27pm

    Add your comments

    Report Post »  
  • LolaB
    Posted on July 9, 2012 at 4:25pm

    My beloved Minnesota Twins…and yes, if you have God in your daily lives…you do see him in everything. I know I do!!!!!!

    Report Post »  
  • lionshield
    Posted on July 9, 2012 at 12:58pm

    these so caled brave elite bankers would cowarded too! at the sound of thunder and lighting!
    knowing that their days are numbered by my God Jesus Christ! let this be warning to you
    t.s.a ,elite bankers your day of judgment is coming soon!!

    Report Post » lionshield  
  • oldduffer
    Posted on July 9, 2012 at 12:58pm

    In this day and age they would’ve been eating my dust.

    Report Post »  
  • PaxInVeritate
    Posted on July 9, 2012 at 12:54pm

    I live watching T-storms. I can relate to these guys reaction. A bolt struck a palm tree approximately 200 yards from the house once. Loudest noise I’ve ever heard. But then, a stadium probably enhances the sound of the lighting strike like an amphitheater. By the way, the NOAA says lightning can strike up to 10 miles in advance of an approaching storm. If you hear it, it’s best to get under cover.

    Report Post » PaxInVeritate  
  • lionshield
    Posted on July 9, 2012 at 12:53pm

    that demon thor always bow before my God Jesus Christ!!
    for it is Jesus who is in control of thunder and lighting!
    He love you to warn you a head of time,shall ask him to send you
    a warn be side your tree at your house? it’s not nice to speak against our God !

    Report Post » lionshield  
  • OUTRIDER WRITER
    Posted on July 9, 2012 at 12:44pm

    Lighning often strikes well ahead of and to the side of an approaching storm. Hear a distant rumble, take notice. Hear thunder “roll,” get inside.

    Report Post »  
  • KickinBack
    Posted on July 9, 2012 at 12:37pm

    I’ve been knocked on my ass by a close lightning strike before. Not fun to go through. BTW, lightning can strike up to 10 miles in front of a storm. If you can hear thunder, you can be hit.

    Report Post » KickinBack  
  • AmericanStrega
    Posted on July 9, 2012 at 12:29pm

    You ain’t seen nothing ’til you see lightening during a snow-storm. Seen in in Denver back in the ‘80’s. It was awesome!

    Report Post »  
  • Lesbian Packing Hollow Points
    Posted on July 9, 2012 at 12:14pm

    The thunder god Thor laughs at your fears of Jesus.

    Report Post » Lesbian Packing Hollow Points  
  • jungle J
    Posted on July 9, 2012 at 11:55am

    Have a 152 rocket detonate in the canopy near you in the jungle and then you know what loud is!

    Report Post »  
  • chazmo
    Posted on July 9, 2012 at 11:20am

    Thunderbolt and lightning, very, very frightening

    Galileo, Galileo
    Galileo, Galileo
    Galileo, Figaro – magnifico

    Report Post » chazmo  
    • AmericanStrega
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 12:23pm

      I’m just a poorboy nobody loves me.
      He’s just a poorboy from a poor family.
      Spare him his life from this monstrosity.

      Easy come
      Easy go
      Will you let me go?

      Report Post »  
  • mama6
    Posted on July 9, 2012 at 8:23am

    These are some of the funniest comments I’ve read yet!!! It was cool to read some of the experiences with lightening you guys had. 2 yrs. ago my Dad passed away & one weekend I went to stay with my Mom. Her neighbor stopped over & we started playing rummy. All of a sudden it sounded like someone shot a gun through the window at us. Mom & her neighbor ducked their heads, I sat there, like a dummy, staring at the light. It was a bolt of lightening outside the window. After it was over we all laughed so hard we almost needed clean underwear. My stomach hurt!!! Mom passed away a few months later & reading your stories made me remember that night!!!! Thank you all for wonderful memories!!!!!

    Report Post »  
  • Meyvn
    Posted on July 9, 2012 at 7:16am

    Hehe.

    Report Post » Meyvn  
  • ADNIL
    Posted on July 9, 2012 at 5:42am

    I was bent over, working in the garden, during an approaching storm listening to the thunder and figured when it got closer I’d go in. Well, it struck close overhead and the concussion from the thunder literally flattened me on the ground as if I’d been shoved by a big hand. The dog, too. We both got up running; didn’t even have to think about it.

    Report Post »  
  • FieldJudge
    Posted on July 9, 2012 at 2:28am

    Back as a teen, a warm afternoon summer storm rolled into my home town. I was near the river walking on a sidewalk when a large bolt of lightning hit a large white oak tree 3′ feet from me. It fileted that tree right down to its base where there was an electrical outlet.

    My felt my whole body light up from the electrical static of that lightning bolt. The crackling sound, flash of bright light, seeing orange/red flames followed by the loud BOOM as it hit that outlet box blowing it apart happened so fast it was surreal and barely phased me. 9 years ago I made a point to visit that tree. The massive scar from that strike can be clearly seen.

    Today, I still like lightning storms and barely flinched when two live oak trees in my backyard were struck in two different storms. Something about oak trees and me I figure… ; )

    Report Post » FieldJudge  
    • nzkiwi
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:19am

      I know what you mean. I was working on a ranch in Oklahoma and during a big storm, everything around me just suddenly lit up brilliantly. I didn’t see where it hit but it was close. What I remember most is the other ranch-hand screaming at me from the truck, which I was about to open the gate for, “Don’t touch the fence! Don’t touch the fence! Get back in the f##king truck!”

      I have seldom moved so fast in my life.

      Report Post »  
    • sillyfreshness
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:44am

      With lightening, the further away the better. I had a bolt hit just a few feet from my house the other night while I was sleeping and it was so loud that there was that pop sound as soon as the light appeared. Scared the crap out of me. Sounded just like a cannon going off next to my house. I’m not a big fan of lightening.

      Report Post » sillyfreshness  
    • happ77
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 10:31am

      When I was a kid my friends and I were waiting out a storm
      on a screened porch playing cards, about 10 ft away was a
      very large maple tree a good 5 ft in diameter, lightning struck
      and cut the tree in half, loudest noise I ever heard. My friend
      sitting closest to the screen fell off his chair. Good thing the half
      that fell didn’t fall on the house, it flattened a few cars though.

      Report Post »  
  • EM2T93
    Posted on July 9, 2012 at 2:27am

    Who says God doesn’t have a sense of humor? That’s hilarious!

    Report Post »  
    • Cadcamtrainer
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 5:46am

      I am a religious person, I believe in God but really, what does that have to do with God??? Why do we have to bringHim up on everything that ever happens. Perhaps this is what turns people away from us. How about “that was very funny”. What would be wrong with just that?. Next someone will start quoting some free from the bible….. When you start preaching is when you loose them. Just my observation!

      Report Post »  
    • TheSword
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 6:30am

      @Cad,

      How about “in all your ways acknowledge Him” (Prov 3:6). I don’t think God minds being an integral part of your life (James 4:8), but the bible is replete with examples of how He doesn’t like to be held at arms length. I think it says more about people who want to exclude God from a conversation than those who want to include Him. Just an observation.

      Report Post »  
    • MOLLYPITCHER
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 7:44am

      @CADCAMTRAINER
      Because if you have a personal relationship with God you see him in everything!!!!! He created thunder and lightning and a sense of humor. By the way a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is just that- a relationship, not religion. If you have that there is the feeling that you have to talk about him and include him in every aspect of your life. That is why people “bring him up in everything”.

      Report Post »  
    • Angel_light
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 10:27am

      I wonder if any of them got skid marks in thier pants

      Report Post » Angel_light  
    • FlamingFartSyndrome
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 10:59am

      You sure it wasn’t science?

      Report Post » FlamingFartSyndrome  
    • EM2T93
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 3:03pm

      @CADCAM…I suppose your post was well-intentioned but, I was just joking around. Not intended to be preachy. Who knows if He purposefully sent the clap of thunder or not (although He could for sure)but, I do contend when those guys were laughing at each other and themselves, He did too…cause He has a sense of humor.

      THESWORD and MOLLYPITCHER explained it perfectly. And, thanks y’all. That’s how I see it, too. :-)

      Report Post »  
  • Diane TX
    Posted on July 9, 2012 at 2:04am

    What I’m about to tell you is really weird. When I was 9, and living in Baltimore, MD, I shared a bedroom with my year younger sister. This younger sister said that I suddenly sat up in my bed, and shouted “NOW” and that was followed by a very loud clap of thunder and a bolt of lighting. I was sound asleep and don’t remember this at all. After that night, my younger sister refused to sleep in the same room with me.

    Report Post »  
    • loriann12
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 7:15am

      I have epilepsy, and can tell you when the barometer drops suddenly, and we’re going to have a storm. I don’t predict every storm, but perhaps not every storm causes the pressure to drop suddenly. Sucks living in tornado alley.

      Report Post »  
  • John655
    Posted on July 9, 2012 at 12:08am

    I had lighning strike one of my trees about 70 ft away from me while I was sleeping. I literaly jumped out of bed because it sounded like a stick of dynamite had just detonated right outside my window. My heart was a pounding. I can feel for these players.

    Report Post » John655  
    • marine249
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 1:17am

      When I was a kid in Wis. A bolt lightning also hit a tree,
      just outside my 2nd floor bedroom. When it hit I hit the floor a running.
      I went down the stairs into the dinning room that was full of sparks.
      I think I made the living room ahead of the boom.

      Report Post »  
  • Verceofreason
    Posted on July 9, 2012 at 12:07am

    Maybe Chris Christie was in the audience and farted.

    Report Post » Verceofreason  
    • John655
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 12:20am

      So any opportunity to take a cheap political shot at someone, your mother must be soo proud of you.

      Report Post » John655  
    • JL320
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 12:37am

      Hahahaha

      Report Post »  
    • Teufel Hunden
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 1:10am

      John655, if this clown, verceoftreason, even had a mother.

      Report Post » Teufel Hunden  
    • marine249
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 1:21am

      Your Sick. Like the other trolls that
      hang out here. Funny you not.

      Report Post »  
    • marine249
      Posted on July 9, 2012 at 1:34am

      @MARINE249
      Note Marine249 start hitting those R’s.

      Report Post »  
  • vic138
    Posted on July 9, 2012 at 12:04am

    As an Angels fan can we just call it a loss for the Rangers. Please…

    Report Post » vic138  
  • The_Almighty_Creestof
    Posted on July 9, 2012 at 12:03am

    This is why they keep extra undies in their lockers.

    Report Post »  

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