Pelican Disrupts College Baseball Game in Southern California

A pelican crashed into the safety net behind home plate during a matchup between Loyola Marymount and UC Santa Barbara.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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A collegiate baseball game between Loyola Marymount and UC Santa Barbara was briefly delayed after a pelican crashed into the safety net behind home plate. The score was tied 1-1 in the top of the fourth inning when the long-beaked bird became entangled in the net, prompting fans to help free the animal before it was escorted off the field. The game resumed with UC Santa Barbara taking a 4-1 lead in the top of the seventh inning.

Why it matters

Pelicans are a common sight in coastal California, but it’s rare for one to disrupt a sporting event in the way this incident did. The presence of the pelican highlights the proximity of the UC Santa Barbara campus to the beach, where these birds are frequently found.

The details

The pelican appeared to have its beak and talons caught in the baseball net behind home plate. Fans in the crowd helped to free the bird, and the Lions’ baseball coach made attempts to shoo it away once it was on the ground. The pelican stood its ground and didn’t budge, but it was eventually escorted off the diamond.

  • The incident occurred during the top of the fourth inning, with the score tied 1-1.
  • UC Santa Barbara took a 4-1 lead in the top of the seventh inning.

The players

Loyola Marymount

The home team whose baseball game was briefly disrupted by the pelican.

UC Santa Barbara

The visiting team that went on to take a 4-1 lead in the game after the delay.

California brown pelicans

The species of pelican that is a permanent resident of the coastal marine environment on the Pacific Coast, including the area around the UC Santa Barbara campus.

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The takeaway

This unusual incident highlights the coexistence of wildlife and sporting events in coastal California, where the natural environment and human activities can sometimes intersect in unexpected ways.