When Animals Attack: Game Interruptions Caused By Natures Creatures

It's bound to happen every so often.  Animals can't decipher the difference between a baseball field and a city park.

While these creatures may occasionally provide for an unwanted interruption of sporting events, they're bound to provide a certain amount of entertainment in the process.

Here's a look at the top moments when sports meet wildlife.

Skunk Halts Minor Leage Game

There are many animals that can interrupt a sporting event, but I can't imagine one much worse than a skunk.

During a minor league baseball game in Illinois, this skunk somehow managed to make his way onto the field of play.

Not surprisingly, nobody seemed to be too eager to go out there and move it.

Bugs Invade 2007 ALDS at Jacobs Field

Selected Images from the game

Given the level of exposure a playoff game receives, I'm sure many of you remember this.

On October 5, 2007, Game 2 of the ALDS would get a rude interruption when a massive swarm of gnats went on the offensive and launched an attack on players and fans alike at Jacobs Field in Cleveland.

The Indians would go on to defeat the Yankees on that buggy evening, and would ultimately go on to win the series in four games.

Seagull Steals Golf Ball

As if an island green isn't enough of a hazard at the TPC at Sawgrass.

Bird in the Wrong Place at the Wrong Time

The video pretty much explains itself.

Birds just really shouldn't fly around tennis courts while matches are going on.

Dog Chases Ball During World Cup Match

You really can't blame the dog for chasing the soccer ball; it's just instinct.

The more appropriate reaction for the event staff would be understanding just how a dog would make it into a World Cup match.

Soccer Player Throws Duck off Field

Not sure this is how I would've gone about it, but apparently the duck wasn't hurt.

Still concerned? PETA activists can direct their commentary to Mahamadou Habib Habibou, a striker for the Zulte Waregem soccer club in Belgium who can claim responsibility for the duck toss.

Dog Heads for End Zone at Iowa Football Game

Again, not really sure how a black lab would make it onto the field of a Big Ten football game, but he didn't seem to cause too much of a problem.

For the record, the dog reached the end zone the same amount of times as the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers would, as the Iowa Hawkeyes went on to a 31-9 win.

Squirrel Takes in the Game from Jacobs Field Warning Track

Interestingly enough, there was just a brief interruption before the umpires decided to continue playing with the squirrel on the field.

Turns out that only lasted for so long as the squirrel would eventually make his way into the infield, halting play for a second time.

Stuffed Bear Night in Calgary

Oddly enough, this is a planned interruption. The Calgary Hitmen of the WHL give away stuffed bears to all fans in attendance during at least one game per season.

When the team scores their first goal of the game during bear night, every fan then hurls the stuffed bears onto the ice, at which point they're donated to needy children.

Dog Uses Outfield as Bathroom

It's amazing that the game staff doesn't really decide to actively chase the dog until AFTER he relieves himself in center field. 

Cat Runs onto Field during Royals Game

During a Kansas City Royals game at Kaufmann Stadium a cat decides to get into the action and take a few laps around the field.

The cat looks very fast, and very mean. I wouldn't be surprised if some of those Royals interns ended up with a few scratches for their efforts in containing the beast.

Rabbit Can't Find It's Way off the Field

During a Beloit Snappers baseball game, a rabbit inadvertently finds it's way onto the field of play.

Much to the dismay of the staff on hand, rabbits are fast. Very fast.

The Yankee Squirrel

Finding a seat at Yankees Stadium when the Boston Red Sox come to town can prove to be a difficult task.

Unless of course you're the Yankee Squirrel. Then you'll just climb up the foul pole and soak it all in while gaining fans in the process.

Shea Stadium: September 9, 1969

For the superstitious Chicago Cubs fans out there, September 9th, 1969 likely sticks out in your memory.

It was on this date that a black cat ran onto the field as the Cubs played a crucial series against the New York Mets at Shea Stadium.

After running circles around Ron Santo in the on-deck circle, the cat quickly disappeared underneath the stands.

The Cubs would finish September with an 8-17 record, and would ultimately end the season eight games behind the Mets in the NL East. The Cubs would miss out on the postseason, while the Mets would go on to win the World Series.

Mascots Try to Catch Loose Pig

During a baseball game in Mexico, a small pig winds up on the field, halting play briefly while the squealer is contained.

I'm not sure which is funnier, the fact that there is a pig running on the field, or the fact that they're relying on mascots to catch it.