A baseball game between two high schools in New Jersey had a controversial ending after the home plate umpire waved off a game-tying home run.
With one out left in a state tournament game between Northern Highlands and Mount Olive, a Northern Highlands player hit a three-run home run to tie the game.
But Mount Olive appealed to the home plate umpire, who ruled that the first runner did not touch home plate. NJ.com reported.
After Mount Olive took a single pitch, the referee ruled out the runners and Mount Olive won the game 3-0.
It’s difficult to clearly say whether or not the first runner touched home plate, but the video appears to show said runner jumping over the base prematurely.
A New Jersey umpire disallowed a home run in a state tournament game after ruling that one of three runners did not touch home plate. The decision ended the match.
Furious Northern Highlands coach berated referee as he restrained players
“I feel bad for the kids, especially the older ones,” Northern Highlands head coach Paul Albarella told NJ.com.
“It’s a shame the game had to end on a technicality. I’m very proud of my team for their resilience throughout the season.”
Albarella had to restrain several of his players who ran towards the referee in protest. Albarella was expelled from the game.
This game was part of the NJSIAA North Jersey 1, Group 3 state tournament. According to the outlet, the state governing body for high school athletics was aware of the controversial finish.
A spokesperson told NJ.com that “under the rules, the work in question is not appealable.”
“He completely jumped over the plate and missed by like three feet,” Mount Olive coach Zoccolillo told NJ.com on Thursday.
‘The referee was standing there and saw it. He saw it. And he was watching everyone touch the plate, and the boy jumped on the plate.
‘Then the second boy noticed and the third boy noticed, so I appealed. Everyone saw it. Me, the audience and everyone saw the boy jump completely over the plate.