Ump Beaning Brings Media Frenzy, Sanctions for High School Team

June 5, 2008 — -- When Cody Martin took the mound Saturday for a state championship baseball game, he probably didn't imagine his high school would be fined and disciplined because of one of his pitches. But that's what happened.

A single play from Georgia's 3A high school state championship game became the subject of national media speculation this week after it appeared that Martin and Stephens County High School catcher Matt Hill conspired to hit the home-plate umpire with a pitch.

In a video posted on YouTube and making the rounds on various local media sites, Stephens County catcher Hill is seen apparently set up to catch Martin's pitch, only to move his glove downward just before the pitch reaches the plate, missing the ball completely and causing it to hit home plate umpire Jeff Scott squarely in the facemask.

The incident occurred in the third and final game of the championship series between Stephens County and Cartersville, with Cartersville leading 8-1 at the time of the beaning, on the way to a championship-clinching 13-1 victory.

The Georgia High School Association examined the video evidence and ruled yesterday that the players did have intent to hit the umpire with the pitch. According to Stephens County principal David Friend, the GHSA has leveled sanctions against Stephens County High baseball that include a $1,000 fine, a behavior warning that could result in postseason bans if violated and a mandatory sportsmanship workshop for all baseball players and coaches prior to next season.

Neither Stephens County player could be reached for comment, and coach Mark Gosnell did not immediately return messages left at his office.

Friend said he could not fathom any of his players intentionally hitting an umpire but acknowledged that it was difficult to dispute the players' intent from the video.

"The kid behind the plate is one of the most mild-mannered kids I know. In school he's an outstanding student, and behavior-wise he sets a standard for everyone around him, so it's very much out of character if he did mean to do it," Friend said. "At the same time, I've seen the video like everybody else has, and on tape it looks real bad. I can see why people would come to that conclusion."

Though the players reportedly maintain that the incident was a mix-up in signals and not an intentional act, Friend conceded that the school will abide by the GHSA's decision.

"We're going to honor what has been ruled by the GHSA, and I think it's the right ruling," he said. "There has been a lot of focus and publicity on this one kid and one pitch, but in high school sports today, there is a need to stress sportsmanship and class, and I don't think these kids, among others, represented our school and our community the way we expect at all times."