Daytona Cubs music intern Derek Dye ejected by umpire for playing ‘Three Blind Mice’

August 1, 2012

We knew umpires could be a sensitive bunch, but who knew they were this sensitive?

Home plate umpire Mario Seneca ejected two members of the Daytona Cubs (Single-A Cubs) staff on Wednesday night after the nursery rhyme “Three Blind Mice” played over the stadium’s sound system following a questionable call.

MLB.com’s Danny Wild described the scene at Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona:

After a questionable play at first base, [Cubs manager Brian] Harper argued the call with infield umpire Ramon Hernandez. Daytona first baseman Taylor Davis appeared to pick a ball in the dirt thrown by shortstop Tim Saunders, but it came out of his glove when he turned to toss it around the infield. Hernandez ruled Davis had bobbled the ball rather than dropping it on the transfer and declared Fort Myers’ Andy Leer safe.

Cubs music intern Derek Dye then played the nursery rhyme, prompting a harsh reaction from the umpire, who reportedly pointed at the press box and shouted “You’re done!” to Dye and the team’s public address announcer. He also ordered the team to stop playing music for the rest of the game.

Dye is worried that Seneca will be umpiring Thursday’s game, but he seems to be taking the whole situation well:

Get ejected from a professional baseball game. Check.

— Derek Dye (@DerekDye) August 2, 2012

If nothing else, I have a new pick-up line… “Hey, my name’s Derek and I’ve been ejected from a pro baseball game.” It’s bulletproof.

— Derek Dye (@DerekDye) August 2, 2012