Sports offer thrilling drama, and the unexpected arrival of wildlife only amplifies the excitement, sometimes leading to truly unforgettable moments. Recently, fans at Yankee Stadium experienced this firsthand when a squirrel briefly halted play during a Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees game.
In the fourth inning, the lively squirrel appeared from behind home plate, paused by Jhostynxon Garcia`s left foot, then scampered to the third base foul line, attempting to dig near the pitcher`s mound. Its stadium tour concluded as it headed down the right field line, seeking an exit.
This charming interruption is far from unique. Throughout sports history, various creatures have made their way onto fields, courts, and courses, creating memorable spectacles. From a sportswriter`s dog causing a stir at a Georgia football game to San Antonio`s frequent encounters with bats, these wildlife cameos are always a talking point. In celebration of these delightful, albeit unexpected, intrusions, let`s revisit some of the most notable animal appearances in sports.
Recent Animal Intrusions
What: Squirrel
- Where: Detroit, Michigan
- When: 2025
In 2025, a squirrel provided early entertainment during a San Francisco Giants-Detroit Tigers game in Detroit, Michigan. It darted across the outfield, reached the warning track, and then found its way into the Tigers` bullpen in the first inning.
What: Snake
- Where: Charlotte, North Carolina
- When: 2025
The 2025 PGA Championship in Charlotte, North Carolina, saw an unusual interruption during its second round. A snake slithered across the golf course, momentarily appearing to target a ball before continuing its journey past it, much to the surprise of golfers and spectators.
What: Bunny
- Where: Norman, Oklahoma
- When: 2025
A college baseball game at L. Dale Mitchell Park in Norman, Oklahoma, in 2025 was briefly paused by a bunny. In the top of the fourth inning with two outs, the rabbit emerged near third base, hopped behind home plate, and then swiftly exited towards the bullpen.
What: Squirrel
- Where: Oxford, Mississippi
- When: 2024
During a 2024 SEC game between Ole Miss and Oklahoma at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi, a squirrel stole the show. Nearing the end of the first quarter, the nimble rodent ran onto the field at the 17-yard line, sprinted to the end zone as if scoring a touchdown, and then disappeared into the tunnel.
What: Insect
- Where: New York City
- When: 2024
The 2024 US Open in New York City witnessed a tiny invader during a quarterfinal match between Frances Tiafoe and Grigor Dimitrov. A black insect on the court caused a brief delay, with ball boys scrambling for about 30 seconds to remove it by hand before play could resume.
What: Raccoon
- Where: Chester, Pennsylvania
- When: 2024
In Chester, Pennsylvania, a 2024 match between the Philadelphia Union and New York City FC at Subaru Park was brought to a halt by a raccoon. The creature casually ambled onto the field in the first half, skillfully eluding staff for 161 seconds before finally being escorted off.
What: Turtle
- Where: Bradenton, Florida
- When: 2024
A minor league baseball game involving the Bradenton Marauders (Pittsburgh Pirates affiliate) in Bradenton, Florida, in 2024, experienced a pause when a surprisingly swift turtle appeared in the outfield. Pitcher Magdiel Cotto eventually stepped in to safely remove the reptile from the playing area.
What: Bees
- Where: Chase Field, Arizona
- When: 2024
Before a 2024 game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers at Chase Field, Arizona, an unexpected bee colony formed on the protective netting behind home plate. This led to a significant one-hour and 55-minute delay. Beekeeper Matt Hilton of Blue Sky Pest Control was called in, becoming an instant fan favorite after expertly removing the bees. He even had the honor of throwing out the ceremonial first pitch.
What: Cat
- Where: Angel Stadium, California
- When: 2024
On an eventful April night in 2024, while bees caused a stir in Arizona, a cat made its own dramatic entrance at Angel Stadium, California. During the bottom of the seventh inning of a Los Angeles Angels vs. Philadelphia Phillies game, the feline dashed across the field and landed in the Phillies` dugout. The moment was lightened by the observation that, thankfully, it wasn`t a black cat.
Classic Wildlife Encounters
What: Squirrel
- Where: Yankees Stadium, New York
- When: 2023
In the early 2023 season, Yankee Stadium in New York saw another squirrel incident when a nimble rodent ran along the outfield wall, much to the crowd`s amusement. Happily, neither the fans nor the adventurous squirrel sustained any harm.
What: Bats
- Where: AT&T Center, San Antonio
- When: 2009 & 2019
The AT&T Center in San Antonio, home of the Spurs, has a peculiar history with bats, which can be quite unsettling for those unfamiliar with them.
- October 2009: During a game against the Sacramento Kings, a single bat interrupted play. In an incredible display of agility, then-Spurs player Manu Ginobili famously swatted the creature out of the air and captured it – a fitting, albeit eerie, incident for Halloween night.
- January 2019: The bats returned. A game against the Brooklyn Nets was delayed as four bats flew around the arena. Fans, recalling Ginobili`s heroic act, chanted “Manu, Manu, Manu” for their absent hero.
- February 2019: Just a month later, another bat appeared during a Spurs game against the New Orleans Pelicans. This time, the team`s mascot, The Coyote, stepped up, expertly capturing the bat with a fishing net near the scorer`s table, causing a 90-second delay.
- March 2019: Not to be outdone, the bats made a third appearance that year during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks, with The Coyote once again serving as the hero.
What: Squirrel (The “Rally Squirrel”)
- Where: Busch Stadium, St. Louis
- When: 2011
In an almost storybook fashion, a gray squirrel achieved unexpected fame at Busch Stadium in St. Louis in October 2011. During Game 3 of the National League Division Series between the Philadelphia Phillies and the St. Louis Cardinals, this “Rally Squirrel” scurried across home plate. While it didn`t cause a delay, it certainly confused the players. Although the Phillies won that particular game, the Cardinals ultimately rallied, winning Games 4 and 5, and going on to triumph in the 2011 World Series against the Texas Rangers – a victory forever linked to the legend of the Rally Squirrel.
What: Cat
- Where: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore and MetLife Stadium, New Jersey
- When: 2017, 2019
Cats, known for their agility, frequently find their way into sports arenas.
- 2017 (Baltimore): A kitten made a surprise appearance at M&T Bank Stadium during a game between the Miami Dolphins and Baltimore Ravens. The broadcast, famously commentated by Tony Romo, captured the amusing chase. The kitten was safely caught by stadium staff and, in a heartwarming turn, adopted by an employee and named `Rae` (short for Ravens).
- 2019 (New Jersey): A black cat famously streaked across the field during a New York Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys `Monday Night Football` game at MetLife Stadium, adding a touch of superstition to the rivalry.
What: Dog
- Where: Dunhill Links Championship, Scotland
- When: 2012
Given Scotland`s dog-friendly culture and the natural association of dogs with balls, it`s not entirely shocking that the Dunhill Links Championship has seen canine visitors. However, in 2012, one particular dog`s ball obsession went a step further when it snatched Paul Casey`s golf ball directly from the third hole green. Casey himself remarked, “It`s the weirdest thing I`ve ever had happen on a golf course.” Fortunately for Casey, he was permitted to replace his original ball and went on to score a birdie on the hole, making for a memorable incident.
What: Bees
- Where: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati
- When: 2019
In May 2019, an 18-minute delay preceded a game between the San Francisco Giants and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati. The cause? A large swarm of bees had settled on the top of the backstop screen, creating a buzzing spectacle and a tense wait until the area was deemed clear. Fortunately, no one was reported stung.