Before the first pitch could be thrown, though, both teams found themselves at the mercy of thousands of tiny winged insects.
A bee colony that had set up on the netting behind home plate delayed their game by nearly two hours.
A bee colony forms on the net high above home plate that caused a two-hour delay of the game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 30, 2024.See what happened:Swarm bee-wilders Arizona Diamondbacks players, fans
(Rob Schumacher/The Republic)Bees swarm on the home plate net delaying the start of the game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 30, 2024. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic)Arizona mascot Baxter points at a bee colony that formed on the net high above home plate that caused a two-hour delay of the game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 30, 2024. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic)Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani (17) laughs in the dugout as bees swarm on the home plate net delaying the start of the game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 30, 2024. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic)Beekeeper Matt Hilton arrives to remove a swarm of bees on the home plate net delaying the start of the game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 30, 2024. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic)Beekeeper Matt Hilton reacts as fans cheer as he is rushed to remove a bee swarm on the home plate net delaying the start of the game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 30, 2024. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic)Beekeeper Matt Hilton reacts as fans cheer his arrival to remove a bee colony on the net high above home plate that caused a two-hour delay of the game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 30, 2024. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic)Beekeeper Matt Hilton suits up to remove a bee colony on the net high above home plate that caused a two-hour delay of the game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 30, 2024. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic)Beekeeper Matt Hilton suits up to remove a bee colony on the net high above home plate that caused a two-hour delay of the game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks at Chase Field on April 30, 2024, in Phoenix. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic)Beekeeper Matt Hilton suits-up to remove a bee colony on the net high above home plate that caused a two-hour delay of the game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 30, 2024. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic)Beekeeper Matt Hilton removes a bee swarm on the home plate net delaying the start of the game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 30, 2024. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic)Beekeeper Matt Hilton reacts to cheers from the fans after removing a swarm of bees on the home plate net delaying the start of the game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 30, 2024. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic)Beekeeper Matt Hilton removes a bee colony on the net high above home plate that caused a two-hour delay of the game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 30, 2024. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic)A fan takes a picture of a bee colony that formed on the net high above home plate that caused a two-hour delay of the game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 30, 2024. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic)A bee colony formed on the net high above home plate that caused a two hour delay of the game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 30, 2024. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic)Players watch from the Dodgers dugout as beekeeper Matt Hilton removes a bee colony on the net high above home plate that caused a two-hour delay of the game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 30, 2024. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic)Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (50) applauded the lift driver as a bee colony formed on the net high above home plate that caused a two-hour delay of the game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 30, 2024. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic)Fans are asked to leave the area as bees swarm on the home plate net delaying the start of the game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 30, 2024. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic)Fans point to the bees swarming on the home plate net delaying the start of the game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 30, 2024. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic)Arizona Diamondbacks mascot Baxter visits Los Angeles Dodgers Shohei Ohtani (17) as bees swarm on the home plate net delaying the start of the game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 30, 2024. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic)Equipment is moved into place to remove a bee colony that formed on the net high above home plate that caused a two-hour delay of the game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 30, 2024. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic)Fans are moved away from the area where a bee colony formed on the net high above home plate that caused a two-hour delay of the game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 30, 2024. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic)A TV camera aims at a bee colony that formed on the net high above home plate that caused a two-hour delay of the game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 30, 2024. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic)Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo (17) talks to the umpires with Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts (30) as bees swarm on the home plate net delaying the start of the game at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 30, 2024. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic)Beekeeper Matt Hilton throws out the ceremonial first pitch after removing a bee colony that formed on the net high above home plate that caused a two-hour delay of the game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 30, 2024. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic)Beekeeper Matt Hilton threw out the ceremonial first pitch after removing a swarm of bees on the home plate net delaying the start of the game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 30, 2024. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic)Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll (7) and second base Ketel Marte (4) watch as a bee colony forms on the net high above home plate that caused a two-hour delay of the game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 30, 2024. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic)Los Angeles Dodgers Shohei Ohtani (17) as a bee colony forms on the net high above home plate that caused a two-hour delay of the game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 30, 2024. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic)Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) watches bees swarm on the home plate net delaying the start of the game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 30, 2024. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic)Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (50) applauds the lift driver as bees swarm on the home plate net delaying the start of the game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 30, 2024. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic)1 / 35
The night thousands of bees held an Arizona Diamondbacks game hostage
The night thousands of bees held an Arizona Diamondbacks game hostage
Bees swarm on the home plate net delaying the start of the game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 30, 2024. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic)
The night thousands of bees held an Arizona Diamondbacks game hostage
Arizona mascot Baxter points at a bee colony that formed on the net high above home plate that caused a two-hour delay of the game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 30, 2024. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic)
The night thousands of bees held an Arizona Diamondbacks game hostage
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani (17) laughs in the dugout as bees swarm on the home plate net delaying the start of the game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 30, 2024. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic)
The night thousands of bees held an Arizona Diamondbacks game hostage
Beekeeper Matt Hilton arrives to remove a swarm of bees on the home plate net delaying the start of the game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 30, 2024. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic)
The night thousands of bees held an Arizona Diamondbacks game hostage
Beekeeper Matt Hilton reacts as fans cheer as he is rushed to remove a bee swarm on the home plate net delaying the start of the game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 30, 2024. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic)
The night thousands of bees held an Arizona Diamondbacks game hostage
Beekeeper Matt Hilton reacts as fans cheer his arrival to remove a bee colony on the net high above home plate that caused a two-hour delay of the game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 30, 2024. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic)
The night thousands of bees held an Arizona Diamondbacks game hostage
Beekeeper Matt Hilton suits up to remove a bee colony on the net high above home plate that caused a two-hour delay of the game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 30, 2024. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic)
The night thousands of bees held an Arizona Diamondbacks game hostage
Beekeeper Matt Hilton suits up to remove a bee colony on the net high above home plate that caused a two-hour delay of the game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks at Chase Field on April 30, 2024, in Phoenix. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic)
The night thousands of bees held an Arizona Diamondbacks game hostage
Beekeeper Matt Hilton suits-up to remove a bee colony on the net high above home plate that caused a two-hour delay of the game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 30, 2024. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic)
The night thousands of bees held an Arizona Diamondbacks game hostage
Beekeeper Matt Hilton removes a bee swarm on the home plate net delaying the start of the game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 30, 2024. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic)
The night thousands of bees held an Arizona Diamondbacks game hostage
Beekeeper Matt Hilton reacts to cheers from the fans after removing a swarm of bees on the home plate net delaying the start of the game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 30, 2024. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic)
The night thousands of bees held an Arizona Diamondbacks game hostage
Beekeeper Matt Hilton removes a bee colony on the net high above home plate that caused a two-hour delay of the game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 30, 2024. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic)
The night thousands of bees held an Arizona Diamondbacks game hostage
A fan takes a picture of a bee colony that formed on the net high above home plate that caused a two-hour delay of the game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 30, 2024. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic)
The night thousands of bees held an Arizona Diamondbacks game hostage
A bee colony formed on the net high above home plate that caused a two hour delay of the game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 30, 2024. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic)
The night thousands of bees held an Arizona Diamondbacks game hostage
Players watch from the Dodgers dugout as beekeeper Matt Hilton removes a bee colony on the net high above home plate that caused a two-hour delay of the game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 30, 2024. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic)
The night thousands of bees held an Arizona Diamondbacks game hostage
Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (50) applauded the lift driver as a bee colony formed on the net high above home plate that caused a two-hour delay of the game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 30, 2024. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic)
The night thousands of bees held an Arizona Diamondbacks game hostage
Fans are asked to leave the area as bees swarm on the home plate net delaying the start of the game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 30, 2024. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic)
The night thousands of bees held an Arizona Diamondbacks game hostage
Fans point to the bees swarming on the home plate net delaying the start of the game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 30, 2024. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic)
The night thousands of bees held an Arizona Diamondbacks game hostage
Arizona Diamondbacks mascot Baxter visits Los Angeles Dodgers Shohei Ohtani (17) as bees swarm on the home plate net delaying the start of the game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 30, 2024. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic)
The night thousands of bees held an Arizona Diamondbacks game hostage
Equipment is moved into place to remove a bee colony that formed on the net high above home plate that caused a two-hour delay of the game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 30, 2024. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic)
The night thousands of bees held an Arizona Diamondbacks game hostage
Fans are moved away from the area where a bee colony formed on the net high above home plate that caused a two-hour delay of the game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 30, 2024. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic)
The night thousands of bees held an Arizona Diamondbacks game hostage
A TV camera aims at a bee colony that formed on the net high above home plate that caused a two-hour delay of the game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 30, 2024. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic)
The night thousands of bees held an Arizona Diamondbacks game hostage
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo (17) talks to the umpires with Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts (30) as bees swarm on the home plate net delaying the start of the game at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 30, 2024. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic)
The night thousands of bees held an Arizona Diamondbacks game hostage
Beekeeper Matt Hilton throws out the ceremonial first pitch after removing a bee colony that formed on the net high above home plate that caused a two-hour delay of the game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 30, 2024. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic)
The night thousands of bees held an Arizona Diamondbacks game hostage
Beekeeper Matt Hilton threw out the ceremonial first pitch after removing a swarm of bees on the home plate net delaying the start of the game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 30, 2024. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic)
The night thousands of bees held an Arizona Diamondbacks game hostage
Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll (7) and second base Ketel Marte (4) watch as a bee colony forms on the net high above home plate that caused a two-hour delay of the game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 30, 2024. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic)
The night thousands of bees held an Arizona Diamondbacks game hostage
Los Angeles Dodgers Shohei Ohtani (17) as a bee colony forms on the net high above home plate that caused a two-hour delay of the game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 30, 2024. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic)
The night thousands of bees held an Arizona Diamondbacks game hostage
Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) watches bees swarm on the home plate net delaying the start of the game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 30, 2024. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic)
The night thousands of bees held an Arizona Diamondbacks game hostage
Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (50) applauds the lift driver as bees swarm on the home plate net delaying the start of the game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 30, 2024. (Rob Schumacher/The Republic)
The Diamondbacks would go on to win the game 4-3 in 10 innings, but the hero of the night was bee tamer Matt Hilton of Blue Sky Pest Control.
Hilton, who suited up and soon had the bees unceremoniously removed, went on to throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
A Tucson native whose family spent summers in the White Mountains, Rebecca “Becca” Dyer lives in the Valley, is a copy editor/online producer for The Arizona Republic/azcentral.com and follows the Arizona Diamondbacks. Send tips on Arizona history items torebecca.dyer@arizonarepublic.com.