ABL Ejections - Takahito Matsuda & Bench Clearing

Sunday's decisive Australian Baseball League Championship Series Game 3 featured a bench-clearing incident and two ejections by 2B Umpire Takahito Matsuda en route to a Brisbane Bandits 4-2 victory and ABL win over the Canberra Cavalry.

First, the bench clearer. With two out and none on in the bottom of the 6th inning, Bandits batter Andrew Campbell took a 2-2 fastball from Cavalry pitcher Frank Gailey inside for a hit by pitch, resulting in a bench clearing incident. Replays indicate the pitch hit Campbell in the upper back, the call was irrecusable, resulting in warnings from HP Umpire Mal Mackay and an extended conversation with both managers; relief pitcher Steven Kent replaced Gailey following the at-bat. At the time of the incident, the Bandits were leading, 4-0.

One pitch later, 2B Umpire Matsuda ejected Bandits 1B Coach Adrian Lamb for fighting during a second bench-clearing event that started after Bandits baserunner Campbell was caught stealing at second base, and Manager Dave Nilsson for arguing the incident. The Bandits ultimately won the contest, and the Championship Series, 4-2.
Related Historical Ejection: ABL Ejections - Takahito Matsuda (Dave Nilsson, E Green) (1/9/16).

After the game the League issued a statement concerning the incidents:

The Australian Baseball League will continue to follow the established disciplinary protocols and procedures in reviewing all reported incidents from Game 3.

This review will include the behaviour of players, coaches and officials during the game.

Any official finding will be published in line with the ABL regular reporting processes.

Matsuda is a Minor League Umpire and spent the 2017 season on the Double-A Eastern League staff.

Wrap: Canberra Cavalry vs Brisbane Bandits (ABL Championship), 2/11/18 | Video as follows:

Alternate Links:
> 1:35:27 - Cavalry P Gailey hits Bandits batter Campbell, 1st Bench Clearing Incident.
> 1:43:23 - 2nd Bench Clearing Incident, Matsuda ejects Bandits 1B Coach Lamb.
> 1:46:20 - 2B Umpire Matsuda ejects Bandits Manager Nilsson.