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Compiled from Times wires
© St. Petersburg Times, published April 13, 2001
Parts of SkyDome roof fall onto field
TORONTO -- Large pieces of metal siding and insulation fell from the roof of SkyDome onto the field Thursday, causing the Blue Jays to postpone their game against the Royals.
The retractable roof was being opened when two of the three panels collided, causing two large tears.
"Some very big pieces of metal fell on to the field," Blue Jays president Paul Godfrey said. "We're very, very thankful there was no one on the field that could have got hurt."
The collision occurred while the Royals were taking extra batting practice. Royals pitching coach Brent Strom knew something was wrong.
"It just didn't seem right. It looked like they were trying to close the dome and it was making funny sounds," Strom said. "I looked up there and stuff started to fall down. Then they stopped it, and then they started it again, and pieces started to fall."
The damage occurred during a routine test opening. A giant panel -- one of three movable panels in the roof -- jammed, causing another panel to ram into the stalled section. That ripped off some sheet metal and insulation which fell to the ground below in leftfield.
"A control switch is supposed to shut off when the panels get too close, but for some reason the control switch did not shut off, and one panel collided with the other," Godfrey said.
When the roof opens, Panels 2 and 3 slide on parallel rails while Panel 1 slides on a circular rail, tucking under the other two.
"You've got 11,000 tons of roof up there moving, and even when you're closing it or opening it slowly, there's a lot of momentum, and if those control systems fail, you're going to have a little bit of a problem," said Norman Seagram, the president of Sportsco, which owns SkyDome. "Some of the controls that are supposed to prevent this kind of accident didn't work for some reason."
Toronto general manager Gord Ash was on the field when one of the large metal sheets crashed to the turf in leftfield after twisting in the wind for more than an hour.
"That would hurt!" Ash said after it crashed loudly.
Ash then quickly walked off the field.
"I wouldn't want that to fall on me," Royals pitcher Doug Henry said. "There's no way we should play. You've got stuff falling down. They have to have inspectors and check it all. The piece that just fell is at least 10 feet long. It had to weigh a couple of hundred pounds. You don't want it coming down on the field or on the fans. There's no way we should play."
Godfrey said about 10 pieces of the roof remain loose, and that it would take at least 10 hours to secure them.
"We're hopeful that the repairs can be done in the next 10 hours, and hopefully tomorrow's 4 o'clock game will be played," Godfrey said.
BRAVES: Right-hander Jose Cabrera was claimed on waivers from Houston and outfielder Bernard Gilkey signed a minor-league contract.
CARDINALS: First baseman Mark McGwire, who probably won't play in day games after night games due to off-season knee surgery, got the day off.
MARLINS: A bill to provide an estimated $122-million in state tax rebates to subsidize a new stadium for the team cleared a House committee. The bill (HB 1189) goes to the Council for Smarter Government, its last scheduled stop before reaching the House floor. A similar Senate bill is pending in the Governmental Oversight and Productivity Committee.
PADRES: The team, scheduled to play the Diamondbacks at 2 p.m. on Sept. 9, might be pushed off the diamond by the NFL Chargers, who are set to open at home against the Redskins at 1:15 p.m. the same day. The Chargers have scheduling priority.
RED SOX: Shortstop Nomar Garciaparra visited teammates and got a progress report from the doctor who operated on his wrist. "I'm doing all right," he said. He shook hands with his left hand instead of his right, which is in a cast. Garciaparra said Dr. Bill Morgan took off the cast for a few minutes to check the swelling, then replaced it about five minutes later. "He said enjoy your freedom," Garciaparra said.
REDS: Pitcher Scott Williamson had surgery to repair the torn ligament in his right elbow. He is out for the season.
ROCKIES: Mike Hampton, who hasn't won in two starts since beating the Cardinals in the opener on April 2, gave up four runs and eight hits in seven innings against St. Louis. His ERA increased to 4.43. Hampton had last allowed a run to St. Louis on Sept. 2, 1999. He blanked the Cardinals for 16 innings in the NL Championship Series for the Mets and 81/3 more on opening day. "I guess every game's new and you wipe the slate clean," Hampton said.
ROYALS: A woman shot in the elbow during a game is suing the team, saying it and Kauffman stadium should have made sure no one in the stadium had a gun. A police investigation determined the shot came from a nearby highway. The suit filed by Virginia and Gerald Olsthoorn of Haysville, Kan., was moved to federal court. It also names the Jackson County Sports Complex Authority.
WHITE SOX: Right-hander Cal Eldred, who had a 5-inch screw inserted in his right elbow last year to prevent recurring problems, was placed on the 15-day disabled list with more elbow pain. Results from a bone scan were expected today. The White Sox will recall right-hander Lorenzo Barcelo from Triple-A Charlotte, a move effective today.
YANKEES: Outfielder Shane Spencer had two infield singles in four at-bats during his final extended spring training game and is scheduled to work out with Triple-A Columbus today and play Saturday. "It's the best I felt since before I got hurt," said Spencer, who had right knee surgery in July.