A few years ago, when MLB players such as José Bautista began theatrically flipping their bats after a home run, riling opponents, today’s young baseball players were watching and taking notes.
Drake Siens, who plays for Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota, must have paid close attention. Siens showed off his bat-flipping skills Monday in a game against St. Olaf College.
After crushing a shot over the left-field fence, Siens started down the first-base line, then launched his bat into the air far beyond the third-base line.
Never mind that these were two NCAA Division III teams; this bat flip was MLB All-Star-level stuff.
Hitter gets ejected for a monster bat flip then the coach gets ejected for arguing pic.twitter.com/bEq1ippNsd
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) May 8, 2023
Siens circled the bases and touched home plate, only to find the umpire ejecting him for the toss.
When Gustavus Adolphus’s manager Brad Baker came out to heatedly argue the ejection, he got tossed from the game as well.
The play-by-play announcer in the video seemed incredulous at Siens’ ejection.
“[The bat flip] was minor, to say the least,” the announcer said. “It’s becoming more commonplace in this game, which in my opinion is just fine. Let the kids have fun if they want to celebrate with a bat flip.”
Fans finding the viral video on Twitter argued over the ejection. Some said they saw nothing wrong, while others contended he had thrown the bat, creating a dangerous situation.
Lighten up people. He hit a home run. He’s excited. No problem with this at all. I’ll take some more of this. Bring the energy baby!
— Shane Sparks (@ShaneSparksBTN) May 8, 2023
The ump is ready for the big league of egos
— Dennis Dockery (@slobzilla) May 8, 2023
This is exactly the reason why we have to have some sort of celebration rules. Players have to keep topping previous celebrations with something bigger and bigger and bigger. Eventually batters would set off their own fireworks on the field after a HR.
— Corey Burnett (@coreyburnett) May 8, 2023
Thats not a bat flip, thats a dangerous throw of a bat. And im ok with that ejection. So many better, non dangerous ways to have fun and celebrate.
— John George (@John_George70) May 8, 2023
Im all for theatrical bat flips, but this wasn’t a bat flip. He threw the bat and had to be ejected.
— In Cohen We Trust (@DaveKingman9) May 8, 2023
I’m getting the feeling this won’t be popular… I’m ok with a decent bar flip. But that’s not what that was. That was too much. Ejection warranted.
— Matt Williams (@MattWilliamsOR) May 8, 2023
Baseball has to be the only sport where celebrating your successes on the field is frowned upon…
— Marco Springs 🌦️ (@marquez_jr22) May 9, 2023
