Baltimore Orioles’ catcher Caleb Joseph signs imaginary autographs in world first baseball game

DUBBED “beyond weird”, a baseball game made history this week, and one player decided to celebrate. What’s going on?

Orioles’ catcher Caleb Joseph was captured signing autographs on the field for imaginary fans.

DUBBED “beyond weird”, a baseball game made history after becoming the first ever major league game to be closed to the public in American history.

The Baltimore Orioles faced off against the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday, but without one fan in attendance.

BALTIMORE, MD - APRIL 29: Melky Cabrera #53 of the Chicago White Sox walks the outfield in the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at an empty Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 29, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. Due to unrest in relation to the arrest and death of Freddie Gray, the two teams played in a stadium closed to the public. Gray, 25, was arrested for possessing a switch blade knife April 12 outside the Gilmor Houses housing project on Baltimore's west side. According to his attorney, Gray died a week later in the hospital from a severe spinal cord injury he received while in police custody. Patrick Smith/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

The decision to close the game off to the public came as rioting and looting hit the streets of Baltimore in response to the death of Freddie Gray, who died in police custody due to spinal injuries.

The unusual decision to play the game was made because it was the best time to fill out the schedule for both teams, reports AP.

But that didn’t stop Orioles’ catcher Caleb Joseph, who was captured signing autographs on the field for imaginary fans.

Perhaps it helped, the Orioles beat the White Sox 8-2.

#Orioles Caleb Joseph signing fake autographs and taking fake applause as heads on the field https://t.co/twJIXikgam

— Jake Ciely (@allinkid) April 29, 2015

BALTIMORE, MD - APRIL 29: Fans stand outside of the ballpark as the Baltimore Orioles play the Chicago White Sox at an empty Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 29, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. Due to unrest in relation to the arrest and death of Freddie Gray, the two teams played in a stadium closed to the public. Gray, 25, was arrested for possessing a switch blade knife April 12 outside the Gilmor Houses housing project on Baltimore's west side. According to his attorney, Gray died a week later in the hospital from a severe spinal cord injury he received while in police custody. Patrick Smith/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

The game went on as news emerged that the police van carrying Freddie Gray had made an undisclosed fourth stop on the way to the police station, an investigation into his death has found.

The development means it is now up to prosecutors to decide if anyone will be charged in connection to Gray’s death.

Gray died with 80 per cent of his spine severed at the neck, lawyers for his family say, portraying him as just the latest young African American to die at the hands of police.

Rallies against police brutality turned violent on Monday, and police have imposed a 10pm curfew in the city.

Originally published as Baltimore Orioles’ catcher Caleb Joseph signs imaginary autographs in world first baseball game