An American umpire working in Taiwan’s Chinese Professional Baseball League put his hand on the throat of a manager during an argument over a balk called in a game between the EDA Rhinos and Brother Elephants on Thursday.
Umpire Brian Kennedy called a balk on the Rhinos pitcher while the Rhinos were up 4-2 in the fourth inning. The call led Rhinos acting manager Chiung-Lung Huang to come out of the dugout to discuss things. That got somewhat awkward because a translator was needed to interpret the conversation between the ump and the manager.
Around the 1:05 mark, Kennedy ejects Huang from the game, and the manager responds by chest-bumping Kennedy. Kennedy reacted by grabbing Huang’s throat.
The China Post says Kennedy was suspended 10 games and fined NT$50,000 for the incident. He will also be relegated to the position of reserve umpire.
Huang was suspended three games and fined NT$60,000.
Kennedy was so upset with the incident he reportedly called police during the game with the intention of pressing charges. Officers showed up and suggested Huang go to the station with them. Kennedy apparently decided not to press charges.
Huang has been the Rhinos’ acting manager. Hsu Sheng-ming, the team’s manager, died at 55 last month after suffering a heart attack.
Good to know crazy baseball fights aren’t exclusive to the US or Venezuela.
H/T The Big Lead via Deadspin
