College baseball fans couldn't believe a Clemson player was ejected from a Super Regional game for the pettiest reason
This was a really curious ejection.
Game 2 of Clemson and Florida’s Super Regional series took a turn Sunday when a small skirmish broke out in the second inning.
It absolutely didn’t have to, though.
Umpires had seemingly diffused the situation before it could blow up into anything bigger after a Clemson baserunner pushed the pitcher trying to tag him out on a check-swing dribbler up the first base line. However, in the aftermath, umps decided to eject first baseman Jack Crighton — who was on second base when everything went down.
The reason? He touched an umpire after running in late to defend his teammate, according to GatorsOnline writer Nick de la Torre. In the video below, Crighton is in the No. 3 purple jersey that comes in from the left.
Clemson 1B Jack Crighton was just ejected in the aftermath of this situation between Nawrocki and Caglianone:pic.twitter.com/GX808UJeKU
— Julia Westerman (@JuliaWesterman) June 9, 2024
If someone had to be ejected, it’s surprising Crighton was the one. Not only did he not start the altercation, he also wasn’t the only player to make contact with an umpire. The original baserunner, Nolan Nawrocki, leaned into an umpire at the very start of it all. Clemson’s dugout emptied too.
Tigers head coach Erik Bakich was so disappointed with the decision, he appears to tell the umpire to inform Crighton about the ejection himself.
Was just told in the pressbox that Crighton "touched the umpire" during the altercation and that's why he was tossed. https://t.co/nKpOWKVDbF
— Nick de la Torre (@delatorre) June 9, 2024
Bakich wasn’t alone. Fans at the game in Clemson and those watching from home couldn’t believe the ejection either.
Boos at the game
Umpires decide to eject Jack Crighton who was on 2nd base when @GatorsBB Caglianone tagged out @ClemsonBaseball Nawrocki and the pushing started.
Crowd not happy with the decision as Tigers Coach Erik Bakich holds back Crighton from the umps. pic.twitter.com/WjhnKannLd
— Carmine Gemei (@CarmineGemei) June 9, 2024
Fans react online
No reason he should’ve been ejected
https://t.co/iWXrLRiKoQ
— Coach Dakota
(@DakotaUSC) June 9, 2024
Absolutely zero reason to eject Crighton there.
Watch the replay. He did nothing.
Embarrassing.
— William Qualkinbush (@QualkTalk) June 9, 2024
The guy who was ejected comes in from the 3B side and doesn't do anything https://t.co/AeBIROZuXR
— Logan Whitson #RangelQB1 #OllieState #OG24Heisman (@Ollie4Heisman) June 9, 2024
And he wasn’t even involved in the play… https://t.co/7SQ6j0djaj
— Ben Patterson (@bengpatt) June 9, 2024
One of the worst ejections I have ever seen. Really gonna eject Crighton from Clemson. Awful. Rooting for Clemson 100% now.
— Space City Boomin (@stroudboys7) June 9, 2024