Strange double plays are not that uncommon. Ball takes a weird bounce allowing the infielders to make a surprise play. Screaming liner hits the pitcher, and then a runner gets screwed.
They’re quirky and fun, and worth checking out.
But this one. I mean, I have never seen anything like this:
I would say “only in Spring Training,” but that could happen at any time.
Well, any time when the crazy series of events unfolds:
- Daniel Nava mistakenly thinks he’s recorded the third out of the inning, and throws the ball in the stands;
- There’s a runner on first base, who is awarded third base because of the mistake;
- The runner forgets that he must first return to first base to tag up (because why would you even think about that when the outfielder just threw the ball away and the umps tell you to take third?); and
- The other team notices and appeals to first.
So, then, by screwing up and throwing the ball away, Daniel Nava helped turn a double play.