Ducklings break out onto pitch during US Minor League baseball game

Play was held up when two ducklings found their way onto the Harbor Park pitch

A US minor league baseball game was interrupted when a couple of baby ducks unexpectedly ran out onto the pitch this weekend.

The game between the Norfolk Tides and Louisville Bats was held up when the two ducklings made their way onto the Harbor Park pitch in Norfolk, Virginia.

Before the Tides defeated the Bats 8-3, members of the ground staff had to chase and scoop up the little creatures with help from the players.

One duckling was bundled into a cardboard box by head groundskeeper for the Tides, Kenny Magner, while one the Bats team member's took off his helmet to capture the other escapee. The team’s operations director then grabbed the duckling in a towel to take it off the pitch.

“It was kind of a funny moment to see the ducks scamper,” said Ian Locke, the Tides’ media relations director, the Virginian-Pilot reports.

The ducklings were taken off the pitch “safe and sound”, the Tides later said in a statement.

The Norfolk Tides are a minor league affiliate of Major League Baseball franchise the Baltimore Orioles, also known by their nickname The Birds.