We’ve seen an odd share of memorable umpire interactions. Yankees manager Aaron Boone has a few on his own, from the “savages in the box” rant to imitating Laz Diaz earlier this season, we’ve seen it all in MLB.
Another incident in the Frontier League, which was allegedly instigated by another former Yankees player Pete Incaviglia, who manages the Tri-City ValleyCats, saw an umpire get ejected – that has to be a first.
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It all started when the visiting ValleyCats manager accused the New York Boulders of sign stealing via a centerfield camera. As a result, the first base umpire Warren Nicholson ordered the Boulders to a league-approved tablet from the dugout, which led to a heated exchange between Nicholson and Boulders second baseman Tucker Nathans.
After being separated, Nicholson was seen exiting the game in centerfield.
“Your manager in Tri-City has been accusing us of stealing signs for three days, which is offensive and embarrassing at the same time,” Boulders team president Shawn Reilly told the Albany Times Union. “The umpire went over based on Pete (Incaviglia) and he threw (Nathans) out and things got out of control.
“It’s unfortunate. It was not a good moment for the league. It was an embarrassing moment and it should never have happened.”
The Frontier League is an independent partner league of Major League Baseball. Incaviglia, who played with the Yankees in 1997, has been managing the ValleyCats since 2021.
His reputation throughout baseball has taken a hit before. In 2007, he was named in a Jason Grimsley affidavit as an alleged user of amphetamines.
“It really didn’t have to happen, and it all boils from these ridiculous allegations of pitch-cheating that Pete does every year at this time of year,” Reilly said. “And I think he’s an embarrassment to the Frontier League and I think Tri-City is a first-class organization. But I don’t have much patience for that behavior. He gets the umpires riled up that we’re cheating.
“We’re not. I find it incredibly offensive to accuse my organization of cheating. He can’t win on the field so he sorts to the pitch-stealing (accusation). Well, then change your signs. He’s better than that.”
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Manuel Gomez may be reached at mgomez@njadvancemedia.com.