What a way to lose it! New York high school baseball team tosses away championship after BIZARRE that dropped third strike decision — after celebrating too early
- Hornell’s catcher dropped the third strike and was not tagged on the runner
- As his teammates celebrated, Pal-Mac scored twice to win the match
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
Yogi Berra’s “it’s not over until it’s over” adage surfaced at the New York State Section Baseball Championships when a team celebrated too early and handed their opponent the title.
In the Section V championship game in the town of Batavia in the Finger Lakes region of New York State, Hornell High School led 5-4 with one strike to go against Palmyra-Macedon (Pal-Mac) – who had a runner on base.
After Pal-Mac scored three runs in the seventh and final inning prior to this at bat, the home plate umpire called a third strike that dropped the catcher.
On a missed third strike, the batter must attempt to reach first base before being thrown out.
The Pal-Mac batter began to run to first base and the Hornell catcher tried to tag him – but the home plate umpire ruled the runner safe.
A dropped third strike by Hornell (gray pants) against Palmyra Macedon (white pants) set off a chain of events that led to a devastating loss for Hornell
After the dropped third strike, Hornell’s catcher missed a tag and the umpire ruled him safe
The Hornell players ran to the mound to celebrate as Pal-Mac’s runners hit the bases
The first batter (center, white pants) ran all the way home to win the game
After umpires discussed the events, Palmyra-Macedon was awarded the win
The championship ends with two runs scored after losing a trick three, while the opposing team celebrates thinking they won.
cheeky pic.twitter.com/zL8eBsxMvS
— JomboyMedia (@JomboyMedia) May 28, 2023
Instead of throwing to first base, the catcher ran to the mound to celebrate with his pitcher and his teammates followed suit.
Meanwhile, the Pal-Mac runner who started the at bat in second crossed home plate to tie the game.
After some confusion from the Hornell team breaking their party, the first batter also reached home and completed a home run into the park on a lost third strike to win the game.
Hornell players and coaches began to gather around the home plate umpire, angry and bewildered as they argued their case.
To some Hornell players’ credit, at least two were caught on the broadcast trying to get their teammates’ attention and trying to find the ball to make the play – but to no avail.
After meeting to discuss what had happened, the officials ruled that Pal-Mac had indeed won the match.
The announcer of the call for this game summed it up by saying, “Wow, this has got to be the most bizarre ending I’ve ever seen.”
Palmyra Macedonia will now advance to the state tournament qualifiers, where they will face Penn Yan High School.