March 2nd, 2023 by WCBC Radio

There was no umpire behind the plate calling balls and strikes when the Baltimore Orioles and Pittsburgh Pirates decided to keep playing Tuesday. The umpires were done with their day’s work after Baltimore’s Josh Lester grounded out to end the top of the ninth inning with the Orioles trailing 7-4, officially ending the spring training contest. But after the umps left the field, the teams kept going and played the bottom of the ninth following a quick discussion between Pirates manager Derek Shelton and Baltimore skipper Brandon Hyde. With the umpires gone, the balls and strikes were called by the catcher, just like is done in so many backyard games. Pirates broadcaster Greg Brown tells WCBC sports that if nothing else it was entertaining…