When a sundial is needed to time your home-run trot around the bases, the umpire may not take too kindly to such a leisurely stroll.
Georgia’s Tre Phelps received an ejection for showboating after hitting a go-ahead homer Sunday during the Bulldogs’ 6-1 win over Liberty, which led to his coach, Wes Johnson, also getting the boot.
Johnson now will miss Georgia’s next game against Mississippi State on Friday, although Johnson will not face any further punishment.
He posted Sunday night to his Instagram Story: “Was tossed for acknowledging family btw.”
Phelps’ ejection has led to plenty of online discourse about whether his actions warranted the umpires’ call, especially since he will have to miss the next game.
Georgia had one runner on with one out in the sixth while trailing 1-0 when Phelps finally cracked Liberty starter Cooper Harrington with a two-run shot to left field.
Phelps watched the homer for a few seconds before tossing his bat beginning what could best be described as a leisurely stroll around the bases.
He turned completely toward the Liberty dugout on the first-base side, where his family allegedly sat, and then made a gesture before turning back toward the bag and continuing his frolicking around the bases.
The Liberty first baseman said something to Phelps while he continued to celebrate with a shooting motion and the Flames’ second baseman also said something as Phelps continued to showboat.
The hand celebrations continued around third base and Phelps even turned his back completely to the plate while doing his final strut toward the plate.
To make matters worse, he walked the final steps before touching home plate.
The ESPN broadcast did not show the umpire ejecting Phelps before one broadcaster mentioned he saw the signal for an ejection while Johnson argued with the official.
Fans started booing while Johnson and another staffer argued, with Phelps seeming oblivious to what had happened in the dugout.
Phelps started eventually pointing on the field, while Johnson lost his cool on the field.
When Johnson retreated to the dugout, he grabbed Phelps by the jersey.
Johnson and Liberty coach Bradley LeCroy had different takes on whether Phelps crossed a line.
“For the record, Tre’s family was sitting up in the stands,” Johnson said. “Tre was waving at his family. The umpires, whatever, I’m not an umpire. They thought he was talking to the dugout.”
LeCroy, who exited the dugout and appeared miffed, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, said Phelps taunted his team but said he did not know exactly what Phelps said.
“I’m just protecting our guys, that’s all I’m doing,” LeCroy said. “I don’t have anything to do with the ejection, but I’m going to protect our guys 100 percent.
“He made remarks to our dugout and looked straight at our dugout.”
Liberty infielder Riley DeCandid said the ejection was warranted.
“It was a big swing, I’m all about celebrating with your team but when you throw the bat and turn to our dugout and say what he said,” DeCandid said, “it was warranted.”
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
