To be continued.......

Over the years, the players of Baseball Ireland have many anecdotes about playing on a windy day, or a day with a bit of rain, or one memorable occasion that this writer encountered while playing second base at Corkagh Park when he would have sworn blind that the snow was in his eyes (no doubt an excuse for a kicked grounder) but this Saturday past at Hydebank will live long in the memory of those who played in it (albeit for a shortened period of time).

As the puddles settled, the Belfast Northstars and the Dublin City Hurricanes decided to put a pin in Game 1 (after three innings) of the All-Ireland final which (weather permitting) will be resumed this coming weekend in Ashbourne before the rest of the series commences.

Hopefully the remainder of the baseball will live up to the first trio of innings because both sides put on a show for the league.

With lefty Melvin Woods taking the hill for the Northstars, the Hurricanes countered with righthander Jeremiah West and it was the visitors who struck first, plating a run in the first inning, immediately putting pressure on the newly-crowned Northern champs.

Shackley would send Sean McMahon to lead off and the speedy shortstop delivered as he has all year, striking a single and taking second on a passed ball. Having been utilised everywhere in the order, Chris Shields' double would give the Stars a first score, although a slight hesitation by McMahon required a spectacular slide at home plate to tie up the game.

With Shields his normal jumpy self on the base pads, he had a great view of Melvin Woods' home run as it sailed over the right field fence in the next at-bat. That would be the score into the next as the rain started to fall heavier.

Having settled into the conditions, both pitchers would put on a demonstration of power pitching, backed up by solid defence which, as previously stated, in the conditions on the day was nothing short of miraculous. As the Southern champs started to press, a snap throw by Randy Cornwell up to third baseman Colin Woods picked off a runner to prevent any closing of the gap and, inspired by the defence, the Stars loaded the bases in the second inning, but West didn't flinch, halting the home side's powerful offence.

In the third, the visitors continued to push, getting runners on first and second with no outs. Woods responded to the challenge however, inducing a ground ball to brother Colin who, after an initial bobble in the soaking wet ground, tagged the runner and off his knees threw to a sprawling Shields at second base, giving the Stars a 5-4 double play.

After a brief conversation between the managers, the Hurricanes took the field in the third and with one out, Shackley would be sure to give his side momentum moving into next week by crushing one over the left field fence.

With conditions becoming dangerous and the young Hydebank field being tested to it's limits, the game was paused and both sides headed home, the Stars with the lead but knowing full well that a battle awaits them this coming Saturday. No quarter asked and none given.