Baltimore, MD – Baltimore Orioles, White Sox Play Game In Nearly Empty Stadium

Baltimore, MD – In what promised to be one of the weirdest spectacles in major-league history, the Baltimore Orioles are playing the Chicago White Sox in a stadium with no fans in attendance.

Media is buzzing over Wednesday’s deserted game. The press box is full, but the grandstands are vacant. TV camera crews line the field and are stationed outside the ballpark.

Officials closed the game to the public because of safety concerns after riots broke out this week, sparked by the death of 25-year-old Freddie Gray. He suffered spinal injuries in police custody and died.

Before the first pitch, the public address announcer at Camden Yards announced the playing of the national anthem, informing “ladies and gentlemen” what was to follow. A recorded version of the song played.

The game then began, with the usually teeming concourse barren and the concession stands locked up.

Chicago second baseman Micah Johnson gets the relay throw from right fielder Avisail Garcia, and those around shout “No!” as he turns to make a throw to the plate.

That’s because Everth Cabrera has stopped at third base.

These are the things the fans don’t usually hear at the game. That, and an infielder yelling, “I got it!” as the outfielder closes in.

The crack of the bat sounds louder, too, perhaps because it’s not accompanied by the sound of a vendor hawking hot dogs.

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