The start of the game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers was delayed nearly two hours after a swarm of bees settled atop the protective netting behind home plate at Chase Field. Matt Hilton, a pest control branch manager, was called in to remove the bees and became a hero of the night, receiving the opportunity to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. The delay was caused by a growing colony of bees, numbering in the thousands, which had landed on the netting. Bee swarms are common in Arizona during the spring, and have caused delays in various sports events in the past.
As the fans waited for the beekeeper to arrive, the Diamondbacks and Dodgers managers met with umpires to decide whether to wait for the bees to be removed or postpone the game. Hilton quickly suited up and rode in on a cart from right field to the swarm of bees, causing cheers from the crowd. With a wave to pump up the fans, Hilton sprayed the bees with a shop vac and successfully removed them while Bonnie Tyler’s song “Holding Out for a Hero” played over the loudspeakers. The delay lasted nearly 90 minutes and then an additional 30 minutes to ensure all bees were gone and the players could warm up again.
The removal of the bees by Hilton was met with cheers and excitement from the crowd, who had been waiting anxiously for the game to start. Hilton’s quick and effective action in removing the bees allowed the game to proceed, though the Diamondbacks switched starting pitchers after the delay. Despite the unconventional start to the game, the Diamondbacks went on to win the game against the Dodgers with a score of 4-3. Hilton’s unexpected role as a hero in the bee incident added an element of excitement to the game and earned him a special moment of throwing out the ceremonial first pitch in his beekeeper suit.
Bee swarms are a common occurrence in Arizona during the spring, and have caused delays in sports events in the past. The incident at Chase Field added an unexpected twist to the game between the Diamondbacks and Dodgers, with fans cheering on as Hilton successfully removed the bees from the netting. Hilton’s quick response and effective removal of the bees allowed the game to proceed, though it did require a pitching change for the Diamondbacks. Despite the delay, the Diamondbacks emerged victorious in the game thanks to the efforts of Hilton and the rest of the stadium staff who helped to ensure a safe and bee-free environment for players and fans alike.
