WVU Pitcher Blaine Traxel Suspended One Game for Celebration

Due to a murky line in the NCAA baseball rulebook, West Virginia pitcher Blaine Traxel will be suspended one game after being ejected from Sunday's win over Oklahoma.

Following a solo home run by Logan Sauve, Traxel put a cone on his head, went two feet in front of the dugout, ran the length of it, and returned back to his seat. A completely harmless celebration of his teammate ultimately cost him a game of potential contribution.

RULE 5-2-d Celebratory Props

"After a home run, scoring play or at the end of a half inning, teams shall not bring celebratory props onto the field of play. Celebratory props must remain in the team dugout during competition. Rationale: This proposal is intended to minimize potential acts of unsportsmanlike conduct directed at opposing teams or players on the field of play."

By rule, the umpires made the right call. But this rule needs to have some flexibility. If a player goes onto the actual playing surface (in between the lines) and brings a prop out, sure, eject him. For something as quick and simple as what Traxel did should at the very most be a warning.

Traxel will be suspended for one game but remains eligible for Saturday's start against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in Morgantown.

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