The longest game in Atlanta Braves history ended at 1:50 a.m. Wednesday on a call so controversial, it more than made up for any the Braves felt went against them earlier.
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Braves' Julio Lugo braces for Pirates catcher Michael McKenry tag. Lugo was called safe at home, giving the Braves a 4-3 win in 19 innings and 6 hours, 39 minutes.
John Amis, AP Braves' Julio Lugo braces for Pirates catcher Michael McKenry tag. Lugo was called safe at home, giving the Braves a 4-3 win in 19 innings and 6 hours, 39 minutes.
Julio Lugo slid and was called safe on a play at the plate in the 19th inning for a 4-3 win against Pittsburgh at Turner Field, though replays clearly showed Pirates catcher Michael McKenry applied the tag well before Lugo touched the plate.
"That’s the way baseball goes," said Braves relief pitcher Scott Proctor (2-3), whose fielder's choice grounder to third with one out gave him both a win and a game-winning RBI. "I’m not saying anything else.”
The weary Braves had a 4-3 win over the Pirates that took six hours and 39 minutes, cost Atlanta its All-Star catcher for at least the next 15 days, and might have provided further impetus for Braves general manager Frank Wren to make a trade this week to strengthen the team's offense.
As inconsistent as that offense has been lately, it's now without its best hitter for a while after Brian McCann injured the oblique muscle in his left side while making a throw to second base in the 10th inning. He'll go on the 15-day disabled list and Triple-A journeyman J.C. Boscan will serve as David Ross' backup until McCann returns.
"Chipper [Jones] will be back in a couple of days," Ross said. "Get him back, we'll be alright. We really need Mac, though. It’s going to be a big loss. There’s no way to hide that. The guy's a stud. He's an MVP candidate.
"There’s no way to replace that. I’m just going to try to do the best I can and play my game and try to help this team win.”
Wren was on a cell phone in his private suite above home plate, talking with someone during the seventh inning as he watched his hitters flail on the field below during the longest game ever played by either the Atlanta Braves or the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Braves went 2-for-19 with runners in scoring position Tuesday after going 0-for-5 in those situations during Monday's 3-1 series-opening loss to the Pirates. They left 23 runners on base Tuesday and had 15 hits, all singles, including two from McCann before he left in the 10th.
The game lasted 29 minutes longer than the previous longest in Atlanta history, a 19-inning game against the New York mets on July 4, 1985 at Fulton County Stadium.
The Call
Perhaps one-fourth of an announced crowd of 22,036 remained in the ballpark when Proctor grounded to third and Lugo raced home, sliding into McKenry. Some Braves feared would be an inning-ending double play because Proctor slipped and fell coming out of the batter's box, and looked as if he'd probably be thrown out at first by McKenry after the tag at home.
When home-plate umpire Jerry Meals made the safe signal, McKenry seethed in utter disbelief and manager Clint Hurdle raced from the dugout to argue with the ump. Meanwhile, Braves players raced from their own dugout to mob Proctor, still making his way toward first base.
"He made the right call," Lugo said, raising his eyebrows and smiling. "I know I'm safe."
“I was just thinking get to first because you don’t want to be doubled up," Proctor said. "I slipped coming out of the box. When they showed the [replay of the] play at home, I was still in the frame. That’s how bad it was. It was pretty bad.
"Very easily [could have been a double play]. The only reason it wasn’t was because he [McKenry] argued."
That and the fact that Meals called Lugo safe at home, obviously eliminating any chance of a double play. Game over.
“The game tonight deserved way better than that," Hurdle said. "For it to end that way is as disappointing as it gets in this game.”
Meals was asked by a pool reporter about the call and why he thought Lugo was safe.
"I saw the tag, but he looked like he oléd him and I called him safe for that," he said. "I looked at the replays and it appeared he might have got him on the shin area. I’m guessing he might have got him, but when I was out there when it happened I didn’t see a tag.
"I just saw the glove sweep up. I didn’t see the glove hit his leg."
“Just reading his lips, he thought he missed the tag at the plate," said Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez. "I don’t know. I haven’t had a chance to see the replay.”
Gonzalez was in the clubhouse at the time, having been ejected in the ninth inning with center fielder Nate McLouth. They got tossed after McLouth argued a called third strike, the second time in the game that he disputed a called strike by Meals.
After Meals made a game-ending call that could be used in future arguments for expanded use of replay, the Braves counted their blessings and mustered enough energy to celebrate a bit before heading to the clubhouse, utterly exhausted.
"He looked out to me, but I haven’t seen the replay," Ross said. "It’s one of those things, I’m glad it happened to us. He looked out, but I don’t know what his explanation is, what he saw.”
“He was safe," said Braves reliever Cristhian Martinez, who had earlier shown a some displeasure with Meals' strike zone. "We got one call all night. We got the best one on that one.”
Nobody came up bigger in the game for the Braves than Martinez, who allowed two hits in six scoreless innings through the 16th, and also chipped in with a single and two sacrifice bunts. The slender right-hander struck out the side in the 15th inning to give seven Braves pitchers a combined total of 20 strikeouts, including six apiece by starter Tommy Hanson and Martinez.
“For me the MVP was Cristhian Martinez," Gonzalez said. "He did one heck of a job.”
Proctor pitched the last three innings and allowed one hit, three walks and no runs, a much better performance than most of his recent spotty outings. He reduced his bloated ERA to 6.48.
Battle of attrition
The negative for the Braves was McCann, who left after making an errant throw to second on a stolen base in the 10th. The throw sailed to center field, and he limped noticeably afterward.
After a visit with the team trainer on the mound, McCann tested his side with a throw back to the pitcher, immediately signaling that he couldn’t continue. Ross caught the rest of the game and will slip into every-day mode now as the primary catcher while McCann is recovering.
“Yeah, I mean there’s not really a choice," Ross said. "That’s why they have me here. They have me here as a backup, as insurance. They pay me a lot of money to do that. I welcome the challenge."
Schafer was also hit in the left wrist by a pitch in the 11th inning, not far from the chip fracture in his left middle finger that’s kept him out of five consecutive starts. He was scratched from the lineup Tuesday, but entered as a late-innings defensive replacement.
With the Braves running out of players, he stayed in the game after being hit.
"We didn’t have anyone else," he said. "It wasn't broken or anything. My finger bothered me more than my wrist [where he was hit by the pitch]. … It hurt at first. I got me right on the bone. It wasn't that bad, though."
Schafer singled after Lugo's one-out walk in the 19th inning, then advanced to second on catcher's indifference to put two runners in scoring position with one out and Proctor batting.
Lowe was ready to pitch
Proctor was the Braves' last relief pitcher, and would have pitched one more inning if the game continued. Gonzalez said starter Derek Lowe was about to warm up to take over after that, if it had been necessary.
But he didn't have to. Not after Lugo slid and Meals, after a moment of hesitation, spread his arms to signal safe. The Braves had won a game in which they twice had failed to score after putting two runners on base with none out, including once when they had runners at second and third with none out in the sixth inning.
“It was crazy," Lugo said of the mind-numbing marathon. "But it was good.”
Jason Heyward’s two-run, two-out single capped a three-run third inning tied the score for the Braves, but most of rest of their offensive story was about missed opportunities. They went 2-for-19 with runners in scoring position, after going 0-for-5 in those spots during Monday’s 3-1 loss that opened the four-game series.
They had two on and none out in the 12th inning before Dan Uggla lined out, Alex Gonzalez grounded out and, after an intentional walk to Heyward loaded the bases, Lugo grounded into an inning-ending fielder’s choice.
Hanson gave up three runs and seven hits in six innings, including two runs in the first inning. It marked the seventh time in eight games that the Braves trailed after the first inning, and eighth consecutive game in which the opposition scored first in either the first or second inning.
The Pirates got their first-inning runs on three hits including a Neil Walker triple off the right-field wall and two-out single by Pedro Alvarez, then pushed the lead to 3-0 on Michael McKenry’s second-inning homer off Hanson.
But after the McKenry homer, the right-hander retired nine of the next 10 batters, then struck out Alvarez with two on to end the fifth.
Braves second baseman Dan Uggla had singles in his first two at-bats, extending his career-best hitting streak to 17 games and raising his average to .200 for the first time since May 16. But by the end of his 2-for-8 night, he was back at .199.
Freddie Freeman was 3-for-7 for the Braves and made two diving defensive plays in extra innings.
Uggla had the third of three consecutive two-out singles in the third inning off Jeff Karstens. After Uggla drove in the Braves’ first run, Eric Hinske drew a walk and Heyward lined a single up the middle to bring in two runs for a 3-all tie.
There was not another run scored for the next 15 innings, and the Pirates would argue there wasn't one scored for the next 16.
Wednesday, 27 July 2011
Monday, 25 July 2011
Mario Balotelli fail showboat shot & substitution! 25 July
The Mario Balotelli Showboat FAIL (LA Galaxy-Manchester City)
July 24th, 2011
There have been some crazy moments this pre-season (Carl Jenkinson's own goal for Arsenal v Cologne on Saturday for example) but the Mario Balotelli Showboat FAIL against the LA Galaxy, and subsequent hysteria, has signalled that the 2011/2012 season is nigh.
The bare details are that after half-an-hour of Manchester City's eventual penalty shoot-out win at the Home Depot Centre, Balotelli was played through with a fine run across the line.
Super Mario's options were pretty clear, a shot on goal seemed the most obvious whilst Edin Dzeko was square for a pass should the Italian striker wish to pass responsibility to his Manchester City strike partner.
Instead, Balotelli pulled out a pirouette followed by a back heel shot that went wide of the LA Galaxy goal, immediately bringing boos from the LA Galaxy crowd.
And whilst the home punters were happy to play Balotelli as the pantomime villain as Dzeko reacted in bewilderment, Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini was one angry puppy on the touchline. Seconds later, despite his protestations Balotelli was substituted.
July 24th, 2011
There have been some crazy moments this pre-season (Carl Jenkinson's own goal for Arsenal v Cologne on Saturday for example) but the Mario Balotelli Showboat FAIL against the LA Galaxy, and subsequent hysteria, has signalled that the 2011/2012 season is nigh.
The bare details are that after half-an-hour of Manchester City's eventual penalty shoot-out win at the Home Depot Centre, Balotelli was played through with a fine run across the line.
Super Mario's options were pretty clear, a shot on goal seemed the most obvious whilst Edin Dzeko was square for a pass should the Italian striker wish to pass responsibility to his Manchester City strike partner.
Instead, Balotelli pulled out a pirouette followed by a back heel shot that went wide of the LA Galaxy goal, immediately bringing boos from the LA Galaxy crowd.
And whilst the home punters were happy to play Balotelli as the pantomime villain as Dzeko reacted in bewilderment, Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini was one angry puppy on the touchline. Seconds later, despite his protestations Balotelli was substituted.
Saturday, 23 July 2011
Live boxing: Amir Khan v Zab Judah live Streaming 23 July 2011
On 23rd July 2011, Amir 'King Khan' returns to Primetime in a head-to-head fight against Zab 'Super' Judah for the WBA and IBF world light-welterweight unification title. The fight takes place live from Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay and will be screened exclusively on pay-per-view channel Primetime.
Amir Khan is looking to take his career to the next level when he faces Zab Judah in Las Vegas. The Bolton boxer is the reigning WBA light-welterweight champion and has the opportunity to take the IBF title if he can overcome 'Super' Judah.
WATCH Amir Khan Vs Zab Judah LIVE NOW ALL PART
Both fighters have a point to prove. For Khan this is a chance to unify the belts with a strong possibility of a future match-up with Floyd Mayweather Jr. As for Judah, the 33-year-old has climbed back to the top recently and is ready to show the world he belongs there.
Khan, 24, has held the WBA belt since 2009 when he defeated Andriy Kotelnik in Manchester with a clinical performance and a unanimous points decision. The Olympic silver medallist has defended the strap four times, most notably in his Fight of the Year war with Marcos Maidana in December.
His opponent tonight first became champion when Khan was still a 13-year-old schoolboy. Judah won the IBF light-welterweight titlee back in 2000 in what was one of four spells as world champion. The New Yorker has been in the ring with the best and his vast experience fighting from light-welter to light-middleweight will surely serve him well against his younger foe.
Judah, who also had a reign as world welterweight champion, is coming into the bout on a five-fight winning streak; the latest of which saw him claim the vacant IBF title from South African Kaizer Mabuza.
Speed and power may be on Khan's side, but Judah has the experience to cause him some problems and if there is any lack of concentration from Khan, Judah will know exactly what to do. With that in mind, we should be in for a great fight!
Amir Khan is looking to take his career to the next level when he faces Zab Judah in Las Vegas. The Bolton boxer is the reigning WBA light-welterweight champion and has the opportunity to take the IBF title if he can overcome 'Super' Judah.
WATCH Amir Khan Vs Zab Judah LIVE NOW ALL PART
Both fighters have a point to prove. For Khan this is a chance to unify the belts with a strong possibility of a future match-up with Floyd Mayweather Jr. As for Judah, the 33-year-old has climbed back to the top recently and is ready to show the world he belongs there.
Khan, 24, has held the WBA belt since 2009 when he defeated Andriy Kotelnik in Manchester with a clinical performance and a unanimous points decision. The Olympic silver medallist has defended the strap four times, most notably in his Fight of the Year war with Marcos Maidana in December.
His opponent tonight first became champion when Khan was still a 13-year-old schoolboy. Judah won the IBF light-welterweight titlee back in 2000 in what was one of four spells as world champion. The New Yorker has been in the ring with the best and his vast experience fighting from light-welter to light-middleweight will surely serve him well against his younger foe.
Judah, who also had a reign as world welterweight champion, is coming into the bout on a five-fight winning streak; the latest of which saw him claim the vacant IBF title from South African Kaizer Mabuza.
Speed and power may be on Khan's side, but Judah has the experience to cause him some problems and if there is any lack of concentration from Khan, Judah will know exactly what to do. With that in mind, we should be in for a great fight!
Amy Winehouse Death, amy winehouse died, amy winehouse morte, amy winehouse morreu, bbc news
Singer Amy Winehouse has been found dead at her home in Camden, north London, at the age of 27. Officers were called by the ambulance service to an address in NW1 just after 4pm today. On arrival, officers found the body of a 27-year-old female who was pronounced dead at the scene," a police statement said. Her death is being treated as unexplained and inquiries are continuing into the circumstances, it added. Watch this short life story!
Tags London Amy Winehouse drugs found dead singer story life 23 July 2011 Last updated at 17:16 GMT Help
A Metropolitan Police spokesman confirmed that a 27-year-old woman had died in Camden and that the cause of death was as yet unexplained.
London Ambulance Service said it had been called to the flat at 1554 BST and sent two vehicles but the woman died.
The troubled singer had a long battle with drink and drugs which overshadowed her recent musical career. She pulled out of a comeback tour last month.
The BBC's Justin Rowlatt is outside the singer's house.
Tags London Amy Winehouse drugs found dead singer story life 23 July 2011 Last updated at 17:16 GMT Help
A Metropolitan Police spokesman confirmed that a 27-year-old woman had died in Camden and that the cause of death was as yet unexplained.
London Ambulance Service said it had been called to the flat at 1554 BST and sent two vehicles but the woman died.
The troubled singer had a long battle with drink and drugs which overshadowed her recent musical career. She pulled out of a comeback tour last month.
The BBC's Justin Rowlatt is outside the singer's house.
Jackie Evancho on 20/20 Super Humans Special Video July 22, 2011
Superpowers are usually associated with action superheroes like Superman or Batman, but there are real life peole with extraordinary abilities. ABC invites viewers to meet some real people with superpowers, uded to overcome limitations and to unlock hidden abilities.
Amazing Artist: Stephen Wilshire did not speak until the age of five, but he developed a unique way to communicate - through drawing. Wilshire has the ability to look at a huge landscape, like Toyko or London, once, and recreate a detailed image scene on paper. "20/20" viewers will watch as Stephen draws the New York City landscape completely from memory, and a London skyline in three hours. Nick Watt reports on the amazng artist.
Girl Wonder: Jackie Evancho is the Little Girl with the Big Voice. who took the Opera world by storm at the age of 11. Evancho took second place o the 2010 season of "America's Got Talent" and became the best-selling debut artist of 2010 with her first EP. Dr. Clark Rosen, director of the University of Pittsburgh Voice Center, says Jackie is "incredibly rare... The young singer's rbrain has the ability to use every facet of her body, her vocal chords, her lungs, her tongue, in a unique fashion." Her fans agree. Her latest release, "Dream with Me," contended for the top spot on the charts. Elizabeth Vargas reports on Jackie Evancho.
Wing Walker: Ashley Battles is one of the world's few professional wing walkers. Last year, Battles broke the world record for longest duration wing walking when she flew over the Golden Gate Bridge for more than four hours at 1000 feet, battling hurricane force winds, extreme cold and birds that could kill her on impact. The amazing wing walker shares secrets of standing on top of a plane, even upside down, to Jay Schadler.
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Birdman: Jeb Corliss dreamed of flying like a bird since he was a young boy, and now he does it. Corliss wears a wing suit and jumps from tall buildings. Corliss is now training for his next superhuman feat, attempting to fly through a small hole in a mountain in China. Jay Schadler reports as the cameras capture Corliss as he trains for the feat in Zurich.
Superhuman Mountain Climber: Chris Waddall was severly injured in a skiing accident, whick left him a paraplegic. The accident triggered something and he became a virtual man-of-steel. After the accident, Waddell didn't even miss one ski season on his way to becoming a hall-of-fame paralympic skier and wheel-chair athlete. He even made People magazine's list of The 50 Most Beautiful People. Seeking a greater challenge, Waddell, at the age of 33, gave upcompetitive athletics in search of a bigger challenge, and found it in his quest to become the first parapalegic to ever conquer the highest mountain in Africa - Mount Kilimanjaro - without the use of his legs. Deborah Roberts reports on the amazing mountain climber.
"20/20" is anchored by Elizabeth Vargas and Chris Cuomo. David Sloan is executive producer
Continue reading on Examiner.com Jackie Evancho and superpowers on Super Powers Super Humans a 20-20 special - National Cable TV |
Amazing Artist: Stephen Wilshire did not speak until the age of five, but he developed a unique way to communicate - through drawing. Wilshire has the ability to look at a huge landscape, like Toyko or London, once, and recreate a detailed image scene on paper. "20/20" viewers will watch as Stephen draws the New York City landscape completely from memory, and a London skyline in three hours. Nick Watt reports on the amazng artist.
Girl Wonder: Jackie Evancho is the Little Girl with the Big Voice. who took the Opera world by storm at the age of 11. Evancho took second place o the 2010 season of "America's Got Talent" and became the best-selling debut artist of 2010 with her first EP. Dr. Clark Rosen, director of the University of Pittsburgh Voice Center, says Jackie is "incredibly rare... The young singer's rbrain has the ability to use every facet of her body, her vocal chords, her lungs, her tongue, in a unique fashion." Her fans agree. Her latest release, "Dream with Me," contended for the top spot on the charts. Elizabeth Vargas reports on Jackie Evancho.
Wing Walker: Ashley Battles is one of the world's few professional wing walkers. Last year, Battles broke the world record for longest duration wing walking when she flew over the Golden Gate Bridge for more than four hours at 1000 feet, battling hurricane force winds, extreme cold and birds that could kill her on impact. The amazing wing walker shares secrets of standing on top of a plane, even upside down, to Jay Schadler.
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Birdman: Jeb Corliss dreamed of flying like a bird since he was a young boy, and now he does it. Corliss wears a wing suit and jumps from tall buildings. Corliss is now training for his next superhuman feat, attempting to fly through a small hole in a mountain in China. Jay Schadler reports as the cameras capture Corliss as he trains for the feat in Zurich.
Superhuman Mountain Climber: Chris Waddall was severly injured in a skiing accident, whick left him a paraplegic. The accident triggered something and he became a virtual man-of-steel. After the accident, Waddell didn't even miss one ski season on his way to becoming a hall-of-fame paralympic skier and wheel-chair athlete. He even made People magazine's list of The 50 Most Beautiful People. Seeking a greater challenge, Waddell, at the age of 33, gave upcompetitive athletics in search of a bigger challenge, and found it in his quest to become the first parapalegic to ever conquer the highest mountain in Africa - Mount Kilimanjaro - without the use of his legs. Deborah Roberts reports on the amazing mountain climber.
"20/20" is anchored by Elizabeth Vargas and Chris Cuomo. David Sloan is executive producer
Continue reading on Examiner.com Jackie Evancho and superpowers on Super Powers Super Humans a 20-20 special - National Cable TV |
Friday, 22 July 2011
Strikeforce: Voelker vs. Bowling 3 Weigh-In Highlights Video
Strikeforce: Voelker vs. Bowling 3 Weigh-In Highlights
Highlights from today's weigh-in featuring Bobby Voelker vs. Roger Bowling, Sarah Kaufman vs. Liz Carmouche, Ovince St. Preux vs. Joe Cason and more. Watch July 22, 2011 at 11 pm ET/PT on Showtime.
Highlights from today's weigh-in featuring Bobby Voelker vs. Roger Bowling, Sarah Kaufman vs. Liz Carmouche, Ovince St. Preux vs. Joe Cason and more. Watch July 22, 2011 at 11 pm ET/PT on Showtime.
Thursday, 2 June 2011
Chilling video of rare Massachusetts tornadoes Salon
The number of dead rose to three from Wednesday’s tornadoes as a dozen-storm ravaged communities launched recovery efforts and Massachusetts congressional delegation appealed to the White House for disaster relief.
In a letter to President Obama, U.S. Sen. John Kerry, U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal and six delegation members called for a presidential disaster declaration needed to steer millions in federal aid to homeowners and businesses in central and Western Massachusetts.
The appeal came 18 hours after Gov. Deval Patrick declared a state of emergency after two late-afternoon tornadoes rained destruction on a dozen communities from Westfield to Sturbridge.
A third death - involving a West Springfield mother killed while shielding her 15-year old daughter in a bathtub - was confirmed Thursday, in addition to a West Springfield motorist crushed by a tree and woman camping in Brimfield.
Area hospitals treated about 80 patients suffering from minor injuries to lightning strikes and trauma; at Baystate Medical Center, two required surgery and a third, an assistant district attorney, remains in serious condition after being struck by debris. 
City inspector surveys tornado damage in Springfield, Ma. Riccardo Bedinotti, wiring inspector for the City of Springfield Ma., describes city efforts to assess damage to buildings a day after a tornado ripped through the city on June 1, 2011. Watch video 
Path of destruction The tornado of June 1st left a path of destruction from Westfield to Sturbridge Mass. Watch video 
Izetta Fleming survives the tornado in Springfield, Ma. Izetta J. Fleming survives the June 1, 2011 tornado in Springfield, Ma. only to have her home looted the following morning. Family gathers to help her clean up the mess. Watch video 
Enelisa Reyes after the tornado, June 2, 2011 Enelisa Reyes describes scrambling for safety when the June 1, 2011 tornado struck her home in Springfield, Ma. ripping apart her neighborhood and cutting a long swath across Western Massachusetts. Watch video
In a letter to President Obama, U.S. Sen. John Kerry, U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal and six delegation members called for a presidential disaster declaration needed to steer millions in federal aid to homeowners and businesses in central and Western Massachusetts.
The appeal came 18 hours after Gov. Deval Patrick declared a state of emergency after two late-afternoon tornadoes rained destruction on a dozen communities from Westfield to Sturbridge.
A third death - involving a West Springfield mother killed while shielding her 15-year old daughter in a bathtub - was confirmed Thursday, in addition to a West Springfield motorist crushed by a tree and woman camping in Brimfield.
Area hospitals treated about 80 patients suffering from minor injuries to lightning strikes and trauma; at Baystate Medical Center, two required surgery and a third, an assistant district attorney, remains in serious condition after being struck by debris.
No estimates have been provided for the total cost of the storms, but Kerry said he expects the figure will be astronomical.
“I don’t think there’s any question we’re in the tens of millions. Where it goes from there it’s too early to tell. But the bottom line is: I think help will be there,” Kerry said while touring Monson with Patrick and other elected officials.
Berkshire Bank announced it will match all donations to the American Red Cross up to $10,000. The bank’s Springfield and East Longmeadow branches will reopen Friday after being closed Thursday, bank officials announced.
Power outages remained a problem, with 22,000 National Grid customers in Brimfield, Monson and surrounding communities waiting for electricity to return; 13,306 Western Massachusetts Electric customers, mostly in Springfield’s Sixteen Acres and East Forest Park neighborhoods, were also without power Thursday night, down from 17,000 immediately after the storms.
Enlarge 06.02.2011 | SPRINGFIELD - Judith Street resident Anne Whalen looks at the damage to her home. Massachusetts tornadoes: Aftermath and recovery gallery (69 photos)
Power should be restored to Western Massachusetts Electric customers by the weekend, said spokesman Frank J. Poirot.
Marcy L. Reed, president of National Grid, Massachusetts, said that workers have been on the job non-stop to restore electricity after tornadoes swept into the region Wednesday night causing widespread devastation.
She said 72 percent of Monson is without power.
“Our hearts go out to everyone affected by these devastating storms, especially the families of the four people who lost their lives yesterday,” Reed said.
She cautioned that people who are using generators should place them outside.
As the scope of the storm damage became apparent Thursday, communities turned to emergency workers, to government agencies and each other for help in rebuilding.
In Springfield, the city opened shelters for displaced and homeless people on Thursday at the Greenleaf Community Center on Parker Street in Sixteen Acres, and at Central High School on Roosevelt Avenue.
Enlarge 06.01.2010 | A child runs for cover as bad weather moved back into the area following a tornado touchdown in the South End of Springfield. This was on Central St. Tornado touches down in downtown Springfield gallery (33 photos)
Approximately 210 people stayed at the MassMutual Center Wednesday night, and were being aided by the American Red Cross and others, said Thomas T. Walsh, the city’s communications director. They were being moved to the new shelters, with transportation provided by the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority.
Cathedral High School, left heavily damaged by the tornado, has rescheduled its graduation and two other events, with all events moved to next week.
The Cathedral graduation exercises will be June 10 at 6 p.m., at St. Michael’s Cathedral on State Street in Springfield.
Cathedral’s Class Night ceremonies will be June 8, at 7 p.m., at Veritas Auditorium, Elms College, in Chicopee. A Baccalaureate Mass will be Thursday, at 7 p.m., at St. Michael’s Cathedral.
Alan J. Ingram, superintendent of the Springfield public schools, said that two elementary schools were too heavily damaged to reopen this school year.
Ingram said Mary A. Dryden Veterans Memorial School at 190 Surrey Road and Elias Brookings School at 367 Hancock Street will not be able to reopen.
All other public schools should reopen the beginning of next week, Ingram said.
City inspector surveys tornado damage in Springfield, Ma. Riccardo Bedinotti, wiring inspector for the City of Springfield Ma., describes city efforts to assess damage to buildings a day after a tornado ripped through the city on June 1, 2011. Watch video Ingram said students in kindergarten through grade 5 from Dryden School will be transferred to the Harris School and students in kindergarten through grade 2 from Brookings School will be transferred to Boland School and students in grades 3, 4 and 5 from Brookings School will be transferred to Rebecca Johnson School
City, state and federal emergency personnel, meanwhile, have “pretty much” completed their primary search for injured or trapped victims and have begun a more thorough secondary search, Fire Department spokesman Dennis G. Leger said.
Path of destruction The tornado of June 1st left a path of destruction from Westfield to Sturbridge Mass. Watch video “We are pretty confident that after the first search that anybody that has been injured has been found,” Leger said.
Delaney said emergency response is being hampered by gawkers coming in from out of the city. “We are telling people to stay out of the area,” he said. “If you want to see devastation it’s going to be there for weeks.”
Delaney said neighbors should help neighbors as emergency personnel continue to clear the streets. “We are clearing the streets first, the houses are secondary,” he said.
Delaney said literally hundreds of building have been damaged throughout the city and numerous streets remain closed.
Leger said the collapse or re-collapse of damaged structures has been a concern for emergency personnel. “If it looks really shaky, they are sending in dogs, if it doesn’t they are sending in people,” Leger said.
Leger stressed that residents clearing off their properties need to be aware of their surroundings. “Don’t touch the wires, people need to be very cautious about that,” Leger said. “This is when people get hurt, after the fact.”
Izetta Fleming survives the tornado in Springfield, Ma. Izetta J. Fleming survives the June 1, 2011 tornado in Springfield, Ma. only to have her home looted the following morning. Family gathers to help her clean up the mess. Watch video Leger said he knows of several instances on Thursday of people getting injured by falling limbs and collapsing buildings.
All off-duty police personnel were called to duty Wednesday night and the officers, working in teams of six to 12, literally went house to house searching for the trapped and injured, Delaney said.
“We had people trapped in their cellars, people trapped in their cars,” Delaney said.
A number of neighborhoods were impassable by vehicle and the officers had to go on foot. “Literally, police officers could not get to East Forest Park because every avenue was blocked off by trees and downed lines,” Delaney said.
Police had to gain access to the East Forest Park neighborhood through East Longmeadow, Delaney said.
Delaney said emergency personnel set up a command post last night in the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame parking lot.
Enelisa Reyes after the tornado, June 2, 2011 Enelisa Reyes describes scrambling for safety when the June 1, 2011 tornado struck her home in Springfield, Ma. ripping apart her neighborhood and cutting a long swath across Western Massachusetts. Watch video “They turned over their building last night and we had use of their offices and telephone banks and computers,” Delaney said.
City police and firefighters, numerous other fire departments, members of the state police and the National Guard are operating out of the Hall of Fame parking lot, Delaney said.
Emergency response is being bolstered by fire departments from across the state. “Every fire department in the state is represented in Springfield today,” Delaney said.
Staff reporter George Graham contributed to this report
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