Matt Olson Ejected for First Time in 1,222-Game Career; Braves Star, Snitker Tossed Arguing “Bizarre” Interference Call.vc

The Braves first baseman was stunned by a sixth-inning batter’s interference call, leading to his first-ever ejection and the tossing of manager Brian Snitker in a 3-1 loss to the Pirates.

ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson was ejected for the first time in his 1,222-game MLB career on Saturday, joining manager Brian Snitker in being tossed for vehemently arguing a controversial batter’s interference call in their 3-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The 31-year-old Olson, who played 1,221 games with Oakland and Atlanta from 2016 without being ejected, saw his streak end in the sixth inning over a “bizarre” play.

Olson hit a high popup into foul territory down the first-base line. As Pirates catcher Henry Davis ranged over to make the play, he bumped into Olson, who was standing near the batter’s box, and dropped the ball.

Home plate umpire Brock Ballou immediately ruled Olson out for batter’s interference, judging that he had impeded Davis’s attempt to catch the ball.

Olson immediately argued with Ballou. Snitker then emerged from the Braves’ dugout to argue with both Ballou and second-base umpire/crew chief Mark Wegner. Wegner promptly ejected Snitker, who continued to argue.

“I stayed in the (batter’s) box the whole time,” Olson said after the game. “I didn’t think I left the box. I said my piece out there and then I went and saw the video and confirmed that I stood in place.”

Olson was perplexed by the ruling, adding, “I don’t know what the exact ruling is, but if feels like if there’s a popup behind the plate the catcher can just run into the hitter every single time and get an out.”

While Snitker was tossed mid-inning, Olson was ejected by Ballou between the bottom of the sixth and the top of the seventh innings for continuing the argument from the dugout.

“(Ballou) told me to stop (arguing),” Olson said. “I was still chirping from the dugout. Once I watched the video, I probably had it coming a little bit. I just didn’t feel like it was the right call. I just kept asking ‘What am I supposed to do?’”

Snitker shared his player’s confusion.

“I didn’t really see it live time… then I saw it and I don’t know what he was supposed to have done,” Snitker said. “That was kind of bizarre.”

However, crew chief Mark Wegner provided the umpires’ justification, stating that Olson was not stationary.

“He did move,” Wegner said. “If you watch the video, he took his swing and stood there and took a couple steps looking up at it. He has to get out of the way of the catcher at that point.”