It turns out that MLB umpires aren’t the only umpiring group that needs a reality check in 2022. College umpires aren’t faring much better either.
The East Carolina Pirates are in search of their first men’s College World Series berth in program history, and Monday’s regional-clinching 13-4 win over Coastal Carolina put them on track to potentially end that drought. No moment seemed bigger than Bryson Worrell’s three-run home run in the seventh inning, but of course, an umpire had to step in and make it about himself.
After Worrell — with a green light on 3-0 — crushed a pitch over the right-field wall, he stood and admired the ball before flipping his bat. But as he was doing so, home plate umpire Perry Costello jumped to his feet and pushed Worrell to start running.
Umpire pushes Worrell to get going. I get it man, but jesus its Game 7 to go to Supers!!!! pic.twitter.com/WEV932Q6SN
— 11Point7: The College Baseball Podcast 🎙 (@11point7) June 6, 2022
And another look:
— Welcome to the Ump Show (@umpjob) June 6, 2022
There’s really no reason for that, and an umpire should never be going out of his way to place his hands on a player. If Worrell had done something similar to an umpire, he would have been ejected immediately (and possibly suspended). Costello knows that, and the NCAA should not let this ump work into the Super Regional. It’s a game — let Worrell enjoy the moment.
Baseball fans also weren’t pleased with how Costello conducted himself there.
