Every game has rules that needs to be followed to keep the spirit of the game intact. The role of the umpires comes into play very much during these situations. In the latest case, the umpire put Tampa Bay Rays’ ace pitcher Zach Eflin under the check during the game. He requested the pitcher to remove something precious as it could damage the ball.
In baseball, the ball has a crucial role to play. Any damage to it can cause problems for everyone involved in the game. The umpire is duty-bound to enforce the rules and did the same in this case. What was exactly the case with Elfin during the game? What made the referees request him? Here is the answer.
Zach Eflin asked to remove his wedding ring during the game!
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It was certainly an unusual request by the referees during the game. Eflin was ready to pitch but was stopped and asked to remove his wedding ring by the referees. The Bally Sports Sun shared the video of the incident with the caption “@RaysBaseball righty Zach Eflin had to remove his wedding ring.”
The announcers discussed and tried to find the exact reason for this case. The first announcer said, “Well, interesting conversation before we move into the second inning here on the mound. That’s the crew chief, Adrian Johnson, out there and I guess they asked him to remove that ring.”
The other announcer tried to explain the case. He said that if this was one of the rubber rings, it would not cause any problems. But since it is a metal ring, it can cause scratches on the ball.
“I mean, the only thought that you have is if it was and that was one of those rubber rings. So that’s not going to be anything that’s going to be able to doctor up a baseball. But if it was a metal ring and you’re rubbing the ball up, maybe you can put some scratches in it. I think that’s why they’re concerned about that.”
However, nothing stopped Eflin from performing. He had a great game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Eflin claimed ten strikeouts in seven innings without allowing a single run.
How did Tampa Bay Rays Fans react to this incident?
Fans disagreed with the cause and termed it ridiculous. Others said that the ring was perfectly safe, and the action doesn’t justify the case.
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The situation was certainly unusual. What do you guys make of this story? Was the action justified? Let us know in the comments below!
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