New Jersey high school baseball game descends into CHAOS as umpire makes controversial home run call

A baseball game between two New Jersey high schools had a controversial ending after the home plate umpire waved away a home run to tie the game.

With one out remaining in a state tournament game between Northern Highlands and Mount Olive, a Northern Highlands player hit a three-run home run to tie the game.

But Mount Olive appealed to the home plate umpire, who ruled that the first runner had not touched home plate. NJ.com reports.

After Mount Olive delivered a single pitch, the umpire ruled the runners and Mount Olive won the game 3-0.

It’s hard to tell clearly whether or not the first runner touched home plate, but video appears to show the runner jumping over the base prematurely.

A New Jersey umpire waved away a home run in a state tournament game after ruling that one of three runners had not touched home plate. The decision ended the match.

An irate Northern Highlands coach berated the referee as he held back his players

“I just feel bad for the kids, especially the seniors,” Northern Highlands head coach Paul Albarella told NJ.com.

‘It’s a shame that the match had to end due to a technical problem. I am very proud of my team for their resilience throughout the season.”

Albarella had to hold back some of his players who ran towards the referee in protest. Albarella was ejected from the match.

This match was part of the NJSIAA North Jersey 1, Group 3 state tournament. According to the outlet, the state governing body for high school athletics was aware of the controversial ending.

A spokesperson told NJ.com that “under the rules, the piece in question cannot be appealed.”

“He jumped completely over home plate and missed by about thirty feet,” Mount Olive coach Zoccollo told NJ.com on Thursday.

‘The referee was standing there and he saw it. He saw it. And he watched as everyone hit home plate, and the boy jumped over home plate.

“So the second child came along and the third child came along, so I appealed. Everyone saw it. Myself, the crowd, everyone saw the boy jump completely over home plate.”