Sports

Duke Baseball Star Barred From Postseason Game Due To Fun-Hating NCAA Rule In Controversial Ump Show

#College Baseball
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AJ Gracia celebrates with Duke baseball players on the field.

© Scott Kinser-Imagn Images


The Duke baseball team won an NCAA Regional final matchup vs. Oklahoma State on Sunday to advance to the next round of postseason play. They were forced to finish that contest without starting centerfielder AJ Gracia.

The outfielder was ejected in the eighth inning of play after seeing the Blue Devils take their first lead of the contest. He will not be able to play Game 1 of the Super Regional next weekend.

Gracia is one of the team’s top contributors. The sophomore was named to the All-ACC Second Team after hitting .295 with 14 home runs and 53 RBIs.

He homered against the Cowboys on Sunday with the Blue Devils facing a 2-0 eighth inning deficit. That solo blast made the score 2-1. He was swarmed by teammates upon arriving to the dugout.

Duke, like many college baseball programs throughout the country, has a home run prop used to celebrate dingers. Theirs is a hard hat, which AJ Gracia was given after his monster shot.

A few batters later, the Blue Devils took their first lead of the game on a Sam Harris RBI single. They grabbed a 3-2 advantage. Gracia, still donning the hard hat, came out to celebrate with the team.

NCAA rule states that home run props cannot leave the dugout. Doing so can lead to ejection. Gracia was tossed by the home plate umpire for carrying the prop onto the field. By the letter of the law, the ejection was warranted.

By the intent of the rule, however, it was undeserved. The bylaw was put in place to keep teams from showing up opponents. Gracia, however, was simply celebrating with his team a few steps outside the dugout.

A game played earlier that afternoon between Oklahoma State and Georgia might’ve played a part in the ejection decision. That contest saw the Bulldogs disrespect the Cowboys with their bat flip antics before ultimately being eliminated from the postseason.

Umpires might’ve pulled the quick trigger as a way of keeping emotions from rising. It certainly seemed unnecessary in that moment.

Head coach Chris Pollard commented after the game. He called the ruling a disappointment.

“I’m incredibly disappointed in the rule, and the way the rule was interpreted tonight,” Pollard said. “He took two steps out of our dugout, not to show anybody up or be disrespectful of the game… but to cheer on his teammate and give high fives.

“This rule, and this type of action by the umpire, are why people get so frustrated with the NCAA. I’m disappointed for AJ Gracia that he won’t play in one of the biggest games of his life.”

It was not the only controversy in the Oklahoma State vs. Duke baseball game.

The contest ended with another controversial and unexpected scenario. The Cowboys’ final out came via a run lane violation on a dropped third strike.

The Oklahoma State baserunner started on the outside of the baseline with intentions to touch the new college baseball safety bag. He then turned inside when the throw from the catcher drew the first baseman into his original path.

He beat the throw to first base but was later ruled out following a review.

Oklahoma State’s season ends on a safety bag violation after dropped 3rd strike call
byu/Czrtier incollegebaseball

Oklahoma State lost the game, 3-2. It effectively ended their season. Duke, meanwhile, will advance to the Super Regional to face either Ole Miss or Wright State.

The Blue Devils are happy to get the win, but they won’t be thrilled to start the second round of the postseason without one of their top players.