Andrew Bell Injured, Spectator Wilson Fills in as Ump

ABL Umpire Andrew Bell was taken to hospital after a foul ball injury to his right forearm on Friday, and returned to work Sunday's game with only bruises to show for it.

With none out in the top of the 4th inning of Friday's Blue Sox-Bite game, Blue Sox batter Malik Collymore fouled a 0-2 fastball from Bite pitcher Sean Callegari above catcher Marcus Greene Jr.'s glove and into umpire Bell's right arm.

Bell was replaced for the remainder of the contest behind the plate by 1B Umpire Ian Reval, with 3B Umpire Payne Sowter remaining at third base while Mark Wilson—who was attending the game as a fan and is on the Adelaide umpiring panel—borrowed a uniform and filled in at first base.

After a scheduled day off on Saturday, Bell returned to officiate Sunday's game on the bases.
Relevant Post: Injury Study - The Slot and Mask vs Helmet Debate (May 30, 2016).

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ABL - Halligan Ejects Heat's Hughes for Punch

Australian Baseball League Umpire Blake Halligan ejected Heat 2B Luke Hughes for punching an opponent and player-manager Matt Kennelly for arguing Hughes' ejection.

With two out and one on (R2), Heat batter Kennelly hit a ground ball to Bite third baseman Jordan McArdle, who threw poorly to first baseman Jordan McArdle, to catcher Bas Nooij as baserunner R2 Derek Peterson attempted to score on McArdle's throwing error. Replays indicate that Nooij tagged Peterson prior to Peterson's touch of home plate, that Peterson's slide potentially violated the home plate collision rule (Rule 6.01(i)(1) Comment: "A slide shall be deemed appropriate, in the case of a feet first slide, if the runner’s buttocks and legs should hit the ground before contact with the catcher"; Peterson's knee appeared to make contact with Nooij's upper thigh prior to Peterson's buttocks and legs touching the ground), that Nooij subsequently shoved Peterson, and that Hughes (who was not involved in the play) ran from the dugout area to deliver a strike upon Nooij's head, the call was irrecusable. At the time of the ejection, the Bite were leading, 2-0. The Bite ultimately won the contest, 2-1.

As a result of the misconduct, Hughes received a three-game suspension and undisclosed fine.

Wrap/Log: Perth Heat vs. Adelaide Bite (Australian Baseball), 1/15/17 | Video via "Read More"