LVBP Ejections - Two Fights Features Bat Assault

You may have heard of batter Alex Romero swinging a bat at a catcher during a fight in the Venezuelan winter league, but without much context. Here at CCS, we researched the story, compiled video of HP Umpire Leo Nieves' 11 ejections throughout the game, and traced the brawls back to the classic tale of a blowout playoff game in the deciding Game 5 of the Best-of-5 series that left the losing team frustrated and upset.

The animosity began with a few early hit-by-pitch events and six-year Liga Venezolana de Béisbol Profesional veteran ump Nieves' ejection of Aguilas batter Jairo Perez after a called strike to lead off the top of the 7th inning (pinch-hitter Gregori Rivero inherited a two strike count and, thus, the swinging strikeout was credited to Perez). At the time of that ejection, los Caribes were leading, 6-1.

In the bottom of the 7th, the Caribes squad hit back-to-back home runs to cap off a seven-run inning and put the series-clinching game out of reach. Following a mound visit, ensuing batter Cesar Valera was then hit in the shoulder by a first-pitch fastball from Aguilas pitcher Romulo Sanchez, leading to a bench-clearing brawl during which Nieves ejected Caribes Manager Jackson Melian, DH Denis Phipps, and Aguilas 2B Yosmany Guerra.

In the top of the 8th, Caribes exacted its revenge when pitcher Angel Nesbitt plunked Aguilas batter and former MLB outfielder Alex Romero on a 3-0 pitch, who in turn turned to Caribes catcher Gabriel Lino, striking the fielder with his bat several times before benches again cleared. Ejected during the melee were Aguilas RF Romero, and Caribes pitcher Nesbitt, catcher Lino, 1B Willians Astudillo, and SS Cesar Valera.

Finally, when all the dust had settled, Caribes relief pitcher Luis Rengel hit Zulia's Engelb Vielma with a 1-1 pitch, drawing the 10th and 11th ejections (of Rengel and Caribes Bench Coach/Acting Manager Freddy Gonzalez, omitted from the box score). At the time of the final 10 ejections, los Caribes were leading 13-1. Caribes ultimately won the contest, 13-2.

Wrap: Aguilas del Zulia vs Caribes de Anzoategui (LVBP), 1/8/20 | Video as follows:

Alternate Link: LVBP Ejections - Alex Romero's Bat Attack & Multiple HBP Brawls (ZUL)