College baseball is an integral part of many baseball players’ lives. Not only do youngsters develop their skills, but they also compete at an extremely high level. This makes competition at that level incredibly intense. The NCAA Tournament is currently going on with some heated series taking place. Most recently, fans were left upset by a University of Kentucky player’s celebration.
This comes days after a controversial umpiring decision had serious implications for Indiana University Bloomington. This University of Kentucky player’s celebration left a sour taste in fans’ mouths as Indiana University Bloomington suffered elimination.
University of Kentucky’s baseball star Devin Burkes’ celebration leaves fans unhappy
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The NCAA Tournament is currently going on, with the Regionals having recently been concluded. Drama filled the Lexington Regionals as the Kentucky Wildcats bested the Indiana Hoosiers. But an air of controversy loomed over the series. Tyler Cerny was controversially ejected after celebrating a hit with a necklace. His ejection was because of a rule preventing props from going onto the field during celebrations. Most recently, Kentucky’s Devin Burkes celebrated a massive go-ahead hit with a little dance of his own, leaving fans upset. The NCAA shared a GIF of the moment on Twitter, causing unrest among supporters.
Kentucky takes the lead!#RoadToOmaha x 🎥 ESPN2 / @UKBaseball pic.twitter.com/u7zlkNg8Tj
— NCAA Baseball (@NCAABaseball) June 5, 2023
In the Tweet, they said, “Kentucky takes the lead!” This highlighted the importance of the play as the Wildcats would keep the lead and win the game 4-2. This also eliminated Indiana University as the University of Kentucky proceed to the Super Regionals.
The reactions of fans have been mostly negative.
There were some fans that wondered whether Burkes would also be suspended.
Will he be suspended like Indiana's guy for excessive celebration?
— Merritt Duncan (@mdunc1982) June 6, 2023
So a plastic chain on the field for like 5 seconds warrants a suspension and this is good? Ncaa rules are wild
— Jake Parks (@_jakeparks37_) June 5, 2023
Dude gets ejected for bringing out a necklace but this dude can do this?😭😂😂the hell is going on
— Omaha Sports (@SportsLincOma) June 6, 2023
Others wondered why the NCAA posted the celebration after the controversy surrounding Cerny.
Guy gets run out of a game for bringing a prop on the field, gets suspended for the next game but, this is ok and celebrated by the official NCAA Baseball account? Sure, folks
— Travis Shideler (@travistp_14) June 5, 2023
Anyone else would have been ejected. I’d have liked to see a stray ball hit him.
— OutdoorNurse (@outdoornurse46) June 5, 2023
So typical taunting allowed for the host/throwing helmet but god forbid a chain be brought 3 ft into the field
— PoshOfficalFanClub (@HowTheProsDo) June 6, 2023
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It has truly been a heated and tense Lexington Regional as many issues came forth. But the underlying question is whether these rules are really necessary. Although the umpire got the controversial decision right according to the rules, many have questioned the rule itself. But college baseball players have seen some bizarre umpire decisions, earlier this year one such decision caused an uproar.
Strict rules are in place to curtail excessive celebration
Baseball’s highest authorities have put strict rules in place to prevent excessive celebrations. This includes the High School, College, and even professional levels. The punishment can range from ejections to suspensions and even fines in the MLB or Minor Leagues. But now fans are wondering if some of these rules are even necessary in today’s game.
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What do you think of the celebration by University of Kentucky baseball star Devin Burkes? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.