A Mississippi Valley State-UNO umpire has been suspended by the Southland Conference after he made a “horrific” strike-three call during a recent game.
The incident occurred during a baseball game between Mississippi Valley State and the University of New Orleans. The umpire in question was working the game as part of the Southland Conference umpire crew.
In the top of the ninth inning, with Mississippi Valley State trailing 5-3, the umpire called strike three on a pitch that appeared to be well outside the strike zone. The batter, who had already taken two strikes, was visibly upset with the call and argued with the umpire.
The call was so bad that it sparked outrage on social media, with many fans and commentators calling for the umpire to be fired. Some even suggested that the call was intentional and that the umpire was trying to influence the outcome of the game.
In response to the controversy, the Southland Conference announced that the umpire had been suspended for one week. The conference also issued a statement condemning the call and apologizing to both teams.
“Southland Conference officials have reviewed the call and have determined that it was an egregious error,” the statement read. “We apologize to both teams, and especially to the batter who was unfairly called out. The umpire in question has been suspended for one week and will be required to undergo additional training before returning to the field.”
The incident has once again raised questions about the quality of umpiring in college athletics and the need for better training and oversight. Many fans and commentators have called for the NCAA to take a more active role in regulating umpires and ensuring that they are held accountable for their actions.
In the meantime, both teams will continue with their seasons, with Mississippi Valley State looking to rebound from the controversial loss and UNO hoping to build on their momentum.
