Shadows cast a shadow over Busch Stadium
With beautiful weather again on tap for today’s Game 4 of the NLDS, expect the shadows that played a major role in Game 3 to be a factor once again.
ST. LOUIS -- It's a glorious day here which spells trouble for the early portion of today's game.
The shadows that played havoc with batters and fielders yesterday will be a factor today. How much of a factor remains to be seen.
The 5 o'clock local starting time is an hour later than yesterday, so the shadows that will be cast over Busch Stadium won't linger as long as Game 3. But they still will be a problem.
Several times yesterday, outfielders instinctively broke back on soft fly balls before they were able to track them. And the fellas in the batters box also had issues.
Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said his players were having a tough time picking up pitches early on.
"(The ball) looked a little darker than usual and that creates a problem," he said. "But at the same time, two teams are playing and you've got to really bear down and stay focused on what you're doing."
The only hit by either team in the first two innings was a double by Albert Pujols, who could probably get a hit blindfolded.
Cardinals manager Tony La Russa was irritated by the suggestion that shadows could be an excuse for a team winning or losing, but he's been asked about it all season. In the midst of his rant, though, he did bring up another important consideration.
"The only thing that should not be ignored," he said, "is that it can be dangerous. When you can't see pitchers throwing the ball, that is not a good situation for either side. That to me is the only issue: poor visibility, hard to see."
Cardinals utilityman Skip Schumaker joined the Cardinals the year before this Busch Stadium opened in 2006.
"(When) you see really good hitters look foolish on fastballs, there's something wrong" he said. "If it's just one side complaining, it's different. But you're hearing it from both ends. I know (the start time) is for TV ratings and that kind of thing, but it's really difficult to play or to hit against an ace pitcher. But both sides have to do it and that's just what it is."
Schu's catch
Schumaker called his 9th-inning diving grab of Carlos Ruiz sinking fly ball the best catch of his postseason career. It was originally ruled a hit by umpire Jerry Meals.
"I was a little hot at the beginning, no doubt about it," Schumaker said. "Jerry told me to relax. When they got together, which they're supposed to do, they got it right and that's all you can ask for."