In the top of the first inning of the Chicago White Sox’s home opener, the game was delayed for about 10 minutes when the umpires summoned the grounds crew out onto the field to restructure the batter’s boxes.
When Miguel Cabrera stepped in with two outs in the top of the first, he set up in his normal position, way back in the box. However, because it was short, he was slightly outside it and White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski complained. Cabrera responded by showing both Pierzynski and home plate umpire Adrian Johnson that the batter’s box was chalked short:
Johnson stopped the game to take a peek, agreed with Cabrera and had the grounds crew come out from behind the backstop to rake out the current lines and re-chalk. I’ve never seen anything like it. Hawk Harrelson said he’s never seen anything like it in his 70 years of being around the game. Normally, when hitters have a problem with the box, they’ll just dust the chalk with their cleats. But this batter’s box appeared to be smaller than the normal four-by-six and warranted a redrawing.
Miguel Cabrera flew out to right on the first pitch after the brief delay.
