Gas leak at Phoenix-area motel clears out ballplayers
Mar 11, 2015, 6:55 AM | Updated: 6:56 am
GOODYEAR, Ariz. — A natural gas leak forced the evacuation of about 50 rooms at a Quality Inn early Wednesday morning, including minor league players for the Cleveland Indians.
There were no injuries in the 3:30 a.m. incident at Dysart Road and Interstate 10.
Cleveland pitcher Casey Shane was one of the recipients of the extremely early wake-up call.
The Indians spend spring training at Goodyear Ballpark, a complex they share with the Cincinnati Reds.
“Somebody banged on the door and said you need to get all of your stuff and evacuate,” Shane, 19, said.
“We have a lot work to do every day now without many off days and this is definitely not what we wanted.”
Justus Sheffield, 18, another Indians pitching prospect, said he “kept hearing noises and tried to get back to sleep. Woke up to a loud bang and a firefighter at the door telling us to get out because there’s a gas leak.”
The players won’t get much more sleep. They have to be at the ballpark at 7 a.m.
The Indians travel to Mesa’s HoHoKam Stadium to face the Oakland A’s at 1:05 p.m.
