This is no way to get some relief

We’ve heard enough about labor lockouts in sports, frankly.

But this is about a lock-in at a baseball game in Montgomery, Ala. Just call it Loo-Gate, our early nomination for quirkiest sports story of the summer.

The Montgomery Advertiser had all the details. One angry pitcher led to one broken bathroom door, which resulted in about 47 minutes of involuntary confinement. Mobile’s Matt Elliott got himself into the self-imposed jam after giving up an eighth-inning run.

“That’s the first time ever I’ve had something like that happen in my 25-plus years in this game,” said Mobile BayBears Manager Brett Butler. “The way our night seemed to go, it seemed like anything was possible.”

Said Elliott, who was the master of understatement: “It just locked on me. I just closed the door and it locked.”

And, suddenly, there was a whole new meaning to the word “closer.”

Trivia time

What was the career batting average for Butler, who played for five major league teams, including the Dodgers?

Butler, Part II

A Google search of Butler unearthed his best-known quote. It came from 1990 and gave an unusual slant to the reason for the San Francisco Giants’ slow start, pointing the finger right at Satan.

“I just think when there is an abundance of believers brought together, at times there is going to be a war come out of it,” Butler said. “I think sometimes Satan attacks those strong with the Lord.”

Trapped, Part II

It was a wild wacky few days in the baseball world -- minors and majors.

In Denver on Sunday, some members of the Colorado Rockies grounds crew were momentarily trapped during the game against visiting Philadelphia.

Not by a locked bathroom door, but a tarp.

A gust of wind caused the tarp to roll over the workers during a rain delay in the seventh inning, and the Associated Press reported that at least four Phillies rushed over to help, saying Shane Victorino “grabbed a corner, dug in and began wrestling it toward left field.”

Fortunately, no one was hurt.

Who knew baseball could turn into a game of Twister?

Days of rain

One final word, or two, about the torrents of rain during the fortnight known as Wimbledon.

Richard Hinds of the Sydney Morning Herald checked in last week during yet another rain delay. He relayed the ultra-serious announcement given on the grounds over the loudspeaker to the fans, laughing about the finest bit of British understatement: “We’ve noticed some of you are holding umbrellas. And we don’t think that’s such a good idea. Umbrellas and lightning sometimes don’t go well together.

“So just have a think about that.”

Cup watch

The Stanley Cup, and two members of the Ducks, goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere and forward Andy McDonald, spent the morning at The Times on Monday, signing autographs and posing for pictures.

A new father himself, Giguere was quick with the reaction to help out with youngest hockey fan on hand, Maggie Hudson, the 2-week-old daughter of Times copy editor Becky Hudson. He came over to put the Cup down on the floor so it was easier to place the baby in the bowl for pictures and also made sure the baby’s little blanket went in first.

Assist, Giguere.

Trivia answer

Butler, who played for Atlanta, Cleveland, San Francisco, the Dodgers and the New York Mets, averaged .290.

And finally

Chicago Bulls draft choice Joakim Noah, whose fashion sense in New York didn’t exactly draw raves, to the Chicago Tribune: “I felt it was a good look. Somebody said I looked like Bozo the Clown. I didn’t like that.”

Well, Bozo doesn’t have a great outside shot either.

lisa.dillman@latimes.com