Umpire crew chief Billy Van Raaphorst releases statement on Drew Gilbert’s ejection
In the fifth inning, Tennessee centerfielder Drew Gilbert was ejected for arguing a strike call. Tennessee pitching coach Frank Anderson was also ejected for arguing the call.
Following the contest, umpire crew chief Billy Van Raaphorst released a statement to Mike Wilson of the Knoxville News Sentinel regarding Gilbert’s ejection.
“Tennessee #1 Drew Gilbert argued several pitches during the top of the second inning, steaming in from centerfield. To begin the next inning I talked to the player between innings, warning him to direct his comments only to his team, not our crew or the other team. He said O.K. and that he just gets excited.
“During the fifth inning following strike one, Tennessee batter Gilbert yelled an expletive, followed by another expletive as he walked out of the box and was subsequently ejected.” –Billy Van Raaphorst
