Infielder Hwang Dae-in (27-KIA) 안전놀이터 was ejected from the game.
Hwang Dae-in was starting in the sixth and first base positions against Hanwha in the ‘2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League’ away game at Daejeon’s Hanwha Life Eagles Park on March 23. The strange scene happened in the top of the fourth inning, when KIA was down 0-6. With the bases loaded, Hwang Dae-in stepped up to the plate and faced opposing pitcher Ricardo Sanchez. In a one-ball, two-strike situation, he was hit by a four-pitch fastball. As it came in slightly toward his body, he thought it was a ball and ducked slightly. Umpire Lee Young-jae called it a strike.
The problem came next. After the strike was called, Hwang dropped the bat to the ground. He walked to the dugout talking to himself. Umpire Lee Young-jae yelled, “Take the bat.” It’s unclear if he didn’t hear or if he turned away, but Hwang didn’t respond. Umpire Lee Young-jae ordered him out. It was the fifth ejection of a player this season. The previous four were for head shots. Kia head coach Kim Jong-kook and assistant coach Jin Gap-yong were present to discuss the situation, but the decision was not overturned.
