NCAA Ejection for Helmet Toss During Walk-Off HR

[Lindsay]

Georgia batter Kolby Branch found himself ejected and suspended after tossing his helmet while celebrating a walk-off grand slam, umpires opting to enforce NCAA baseball's unsportsmanlike conduct rule after the game had ended, meaning that pursuant to the post-participation ejection rules, Branch was effectively "ejected" (or suspended) for the team's next game, which was Game 2 of a doubleheader vs Alabama.

To be clear, NCAA Rule 5-17, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, states that "Game personnel shall not use language that will, in any manner, refer to or reflect negatively upon opposing players, coaches, umpires or spectators. Any orchestrated activities by any player or dugout personnel designed to distract, intimidate or disconcert the opposing team or reflect poor sportsmanship shall not be allowed."

We knew that bat flips during a game were grounds for ejection, but a celebratory helmet toss after a game-ending four-run home run?

The roots of college's decision to adopt 5-17 and emphasize its enforcement stems from a benches-clearing incident that occurred after a bat flap mid-game, but in this case, the game was already over and indeed, the plate umpire had already started walking off the field with his back turned to home plate—the first base umpire was the only official who appeared to witness the throw, convening the crew shortly thereafter to impose the ejection penalty for a violation of NCAA 5-17.

Are we going too far in legislating celebrations or is this a correct application of rule within its spirit to head off a potential game management situation in Game 2 of the Alabama-Georgia doubleheader?

Video as follows:

Alternate Link: Umps eject Branch post-game after helmet toss on walk-off granny

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[Velho]

What base touches do they watch for in a walk off HR?

[Jimurray]

3 minutes ago, Velho said:

What base touches do they watch for in a walk off HR?

All codes agree on base touches with a batted ball. 1B, forced bases, winning run. So 90' for each runner and we are out of there, except NCAA wants the umpires to do the coaches and conferences jobs and birddog stuff.

[beerguy55]

Game over or not, there's a blatant disregard for safety when he throws the helmet like that.  Not really concerned about the sportsmanlike element.

[BLWizzRanger]

Game over or not, there's a blatant disregard for safety when he throws the helmet like that.  Not really concerned about the sportsmanlike element.

To your point, the 3BC caught the helmet inches from his face after the helmet bounced off of the ground.

Sent from my SM-F721U1 using Tapatalk

[Aging_Arbiter]

4 hours ago, BLWizzRanger said:

To your point, the 3BC caught the helmet inches from his face after the helmet bounced off of the ground.

So what I HEAR you saying is...no blood, no foul.  😁

[Umpiresrock74]

Did I ever tell you how this is a bunch of BS!

[MadMax]

2 hours ago, Umpiresrock74 said:

Did I ever tell you how this is a bunch of BS!

If you’re a NCAA/NJCAA/NAIA umpire, you cannot express an opinion on this. 

“Enforce (the rule) as written.” 

[Jimurray]

11 minutes ago, MadMax said:

If you’re a NCAA/NJCAA/NAIA umpire, you cannot express an opinion on this. 

“Enforce (the rule) as written.” 

And take the heat on social media as the rule writers and interpreters do not have your back with any social media supporting your implementation of the rule. Thus all of you NCAA/NJCAA/NAIA umps should have your group tell the conference it's their job to take care of that stuff. I know, you are not going to go on strike and give up that paycheck.

[Velho]

38 minutes ago, Jimurray said:

And take the heat on social media

fwiw I am seeing more and more folks putting less heat on the umps (NCAA and MLB) and acknowledgment they are enforcing the rules as directed.

[Umpiresrock74]

14 hours ago, MadMax said:

If you’re a NCAA/NJCAA/NAIA umpire, you cannot express an opinion on this. 

“Enforce (the rule) as written.” 

Well I’m not, and it’s America. 

[SeeingEyeDog]

4 hours ago, Umpiresrock74 said:

...and it’s America. 

Literally NO ONE is disputing this. Why is this now a geography discussion?

~Dawg

[Umpiresrock74]

3 hours ago, SeeingEyeDog said:

Literally NO ONE is disputing this. Why is this now a geography discussion?

~Dawg

It was a sarcastic joke.