Cody Bellinger (24) acknowledges the group throughout a video tribute previous to the sport in opposition to the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports activities
Cody Bellinger tipped his cap to the Dodgers fanbase in return to Los Angeles, and he was assessed a pitch clock violation by the house plate umpire.
For the primary time in his MLB profession, Cody Bellinger shouldn’t be a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers group.
After making his debut in 2017, Bellinger gained the Nationwide League MVP award in 2019 and helped the group win the World Collection in 2020. However after his manufacturing took successful, he was non-tendered by the Dodgers, permitting him to hit free company. Shortly thereafter, Bellinger signed a one-year, $17.5 million contract with the Chicago Cubs.
On Friday, Bellinger made his return to Dodger Stadium, however as a member of the opposing dugout. Within the high of the second inning, Bellinger stepped contained in the batter’s field and acquired a standing ovation from Dodgers followers in attendance. It was a feel-good second between the outfielder and the fanbase of the group he used to play for. So, he stepped outdoors the batter’s field to tip his cap to the group.
That was when the most recent version of “The Ump Present,” struck. House plate umpire Jim Wolf assessed Bellinger a pitch clock violation, placing him in an 0-1 gap within the depend.
We get that the pitch clock is being closely enforced this yr by MLB to hurry up the sport, however this was a bit ridiculous. Bellinger was acknowledging the group for his or her standing ovation. However, Wolf was implementing the foundations.
Under the new rules, the batter should stand within the field or alert the pitcher inside eight seconds. If not, they’re assessed an automated strike. In that at-bat, Bellinger pressured a full depend, however grounded out to first baseman Freddie Freeman.
Bellinger did profit from his second at-bat within the high of the fourth inning, hitting a double to proper area, and scoring on a floor out by Eric Hosmer.
Getting into Friday night time, Bellinger was slashing .238/.298/.405 whereas recording two house runs, seven runs scored, 9 RBI, and 10 hits. Bellinger additionally struck out simply seven occasions, whereas being walked 4 occasions.
Returning baseball gamers have acquired standing ovations when moving into the batter’s field up to now. Now we all know gamers may have to take action in an eight-second span, or get issued an automated strike like Bellinger acquired from Wolf.
Cody Bellinger assessed pitch clock violation for acknowledging standing ovation from Dodgers followers