Ejection report details what led to Georgia's Tre Phelps, Wes Johnson getting tossed
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Tre Phelps' ejection for his actions after hitting a two-run homer to put Georgia baseball ahead in the Athens Regional 6-1 clinching win over Liberty brought a wide range of reactions from observers and the teams’ head coaches offered their take on it after the game.
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What exactly led to Phelps and Georgia coach Wes Johnson being booted from the game is detailed in the official ejection report that was provided to the Athens Banner-Herald on Monday, June 1, from the NCAA.
Phelps was ejected by home plate umpire Javerro January for violating Rule 2.26.f (Non-head coach) for “unsportsmanlike conduct or language directed toward an umpire or opponent…”
He will be suspended for the first game of Georgia’s Super Regional series next weekend.
Here’s the account in the ejection report provided by the NCAA: “In the bottom of the sixth inning with Georgia trailing 1-0 and a runner on first base, Georgia batter Phelps hit a home run to left field. As Phelps began running the bases, he turned his chest toward the Liberty University dugout on the first-base side and waved in a taunting gesture. After rounding first base, he turned again and waved mockingly at the first baseman. Once Phelps touched home plate, Umpire January ejected him for unsportsmanlike conduct. After the ejection Phelps left with head coach and stayed out of sight and sounds.”
Johnson was also ejected for coming onto the field and arguing about Phelps getting tossed.
“It’s really hard to apologize for being passionate for your players who are really passionate for you and this university and what we do every day,” he said. “If I think something’s wrong, I’m going to stand up for our players no matter what.”
Johnson was ejected for Rule 2.26.f (Head Coach) for “Unsportsmanlike conduct or language directed toward an umpire or opponent by a head coach.”
Johnson, the report said, “sprinted out of the dugout yelling, “What are you ejecting him for!" I explained that Phelps’ actions while running the bases constituted taunting and unsportsmanlike conduct. Coach Johnson responded, “That’s unbelievable” while waving his arms demonstratively. He then stated, “JJ, you are going to have to eject me from the game because I’m not leaving.” At that time, I ejected Coach Johnson from the game. He continued to wave his arms and yell, “That’s unbelievable! That’s unbelievable." Umpire (Brian) Peterson then walked toward the dugout to inform Coach Johnson that he must leave the vicinity. Head Coach Wes Johnson subsequently gathered Phelps, and both individuals left the field, remaining out of sight and sound for the remainder of the game.”
Johnson, who will be back in the dugout for Georgia’s next game, said Sunday night that Phelps was waving at his family sitting above the Liberty dugout on the first base side after the home run.
There is no appeal process for Phelps, according to the NCAA. He will sit out game 1 of the best-of-three-series against Mississippi State June 5-7 or June 6-8. The dates for the game are expected to be announced on Tuesday.
This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Ejection report details what led to Georgia's Tre Phelps being tossed