By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
Decatur Day became a wet night at Parkview Field Saturday when harassing sprinkles turned into a soaking rain during an eventual victory by the Fort Wayne Tincaps – or, as they were called this night, the Hoosier State Tenderloins.
An announced sellout crowd of 7,550 was feeling sprinkles with the first pitch at 6:35 p.m. The sprinkles eventually became full-blown rain, delaying the proceedings.
Then, with the Tincaps hitting in the bottom of the fifth, the game was called, the Tincaps – oops, Tenderloins – gaining a 10-1 victory over the Great Lakes Loons.
Had the Loons not batted in the top of the fifth, it would not have been an official game – and a 9-run lead would have been wiped out.
While not seeing a full game, the crowd – including the Decatur and area residents who purchased tickets for the special night – did see an unusual opening inning. The hosts scored eight runs in the first frame, with the Loons starting pitcher Peter Heubeck unable to retire any of the seven hitters he faced.
The tenderloin business was the Tincaps’ way of honoring Indiana’s unofficial sandwich, the breaded pork tenderloin. It’s what minor league teams do!
Wet or not wet, a percentage of the tickets sold for Decatur Day go to the Kekionga Project, and that’s dry and dandy!
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