National Anthem Standoff Decided By Incoming Foul Ball

It’s hot stove season up here, but thanks to the Coriolis Effect or something, in Australia the stove is ice-cold—it’s the baseball action that is hot.

After the singing of the national anthem (“Advance Australia Fair”), the bullpens of the Brisbane Bandits and Melbourne Aces remained standing, their caps over their hearts. It kept going. It was a good old-fashioned showdown-under, not even breaking for water—a helpful attendant hydrated the Bandits so they didn’t have to abandon their patriotism).

It went into the third inning, when a fly ball down the left field line sent Melbourne players scattering and making it official: Brisbane loves Australia more.