White Sox Pitcher Ejected From Game For Throwing Belt At Umpire

Umpires get a lot of grief during Major League Baseball games, but this is a bit over the line. White Sox player Lance Lynn was ejected from Wednesday’s game for hurling his belt at one of the men calling the shots.

This crazy scene erupted during the 4th inning when 3rd base umpire Nic Lentz attempted to check Lynn’s gear for sticky stuff. Having sticky stuff, like tar, around is against the rules, because stickiness can be used to help a pitcher cheat.

Lynn was obviously upset about this as he left his hat and glove on the steps of the dugout for the umpire to check. When Lentz asked to see the pitcher’s belt, he became irate. This is when the 34-year-old ace took off his belt and threw it at the empire.

Lynn was promptly thrown out of the game against the Oakland Athletics. His Sox won the game 3-2, but they did so without his help to close out the final innings. After the game, he expressed his displeasure while speaking to the media.

“[Lentz] was late getting over. So, I left my glove and my hat, and then while I was going down in the dugout, trying to see the trainers because I’m dealing with something, he yells at me that he needs to see my belt.”

“So I toss it up and then he throws me out.”

“Obviously, I hurt his feelings … he threw me out because I tossed my belt, and I said, ‘Well, if you were on time, we wouldn’t have this problem.'”

Players really shouldn’t be throwing anything at the umpires, especially their gear. It stands to reason that the umpire wanted to check for sticky stuff, because that is his job. Maybe next time the pitcher will think twice before launching his belt at an official.

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