Prior to Thursday's Fourth of July game between the Yankees and Reds, a strange national anthem standoff almost delayed the start of the game. Pitchers from both teams, including Yankees' Cody Poteet and Ian Hamilton, and Reds' Graham Ashcraft and Carson Spiers, remained standing at attention long after the anthem ended in a bid to be the last one saluting. Despite umpires trying to get them off the field, the players continued until manager Aaron Boone finally intervened. The standoff, although not planned, was a result of the added pregame festivities. Poteet claimed it was a friendly competition that naturally unfolded. Ultimately, Ashcraft was the last player standing. Although the situation almost resulted in a delayed game, Boone assured that the start was not delayed and considered it a moment of fun within the game.