A baseball player in Japan directs an umpire's attention to the half-digested fish that fell from the sky in left field. Screenshot: Toraho Bulletin/YouTube

NISHINOMIYA, Japan, May 9 (UPI) -- A baseball game in Japan was temporarily delayed due to something other than rain falling out of the sky -- a half-digested fish.

The smelly surprise plummeted into the outfield of Koshien Stadium during the Sunday game, landing near Tokyo Yakult Swallows left-fielder Wladimir Balentien.


A spokesman for the team told the Wall Street Journal that Balentien described the scent from the falling fish as "unbearable."

Footage from the game shows Balentien call a time-out and walk away from his position as an umpire comes out to investigate.

A ball boy cleans up the fishy mess with a broom and dustpan.

A spokeswoman for the Hanshin Tigers said the fish appeared to have been dropped by a bird flying over the stadium. She said officials do not believe the carcass was thrown from the stands.

The fish may have been a good omen for the Swallows, as they eventually won the game 5-1.