CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. — Sean Burroughs of the Bridgeport Bluefish fouled off an 0-2 pitch in the first inning of Saturday’s exhibition game against the host Long Island Ducks. The ball landed beyond first baseman Jon Griffin’s reach, and Burroughs lingered near home plate until the umpire Tony Senia explained to Burroughs that he had struck out.
The unusual play, which surprised Burroughs, was part of an experiment to speed up baseball games.
Paul Auster, the 68-year-old author of “The New York Trilogy” and a devoted Mets fan, wrote in a letter to The New York Times, published Aug.