Buena Park American Fell Short of the Win

Players and a Coach Ejected for Poor Sportsmanship

By Annie Rivera

A controversial Game 5 between Buena Park American and Continental went sour when BP pitcher Kyle Schultz gave up a 3-run bomber to Continental knotting the score 4-4.

Cole Timm hit a 2-RBI dinger for a score 2-0 after the first inning. By the bottom of the sixth inning BP led 4-1.

A game that Buena Park should have come home with the "V" ended in extra innings and a game winning shot by Continental in the 10th and final inning.

But the mayhem began at the bottom of the 7th inning. Still tied at 4 runs a piece, two runners in scoring position, Continental hit a long fly ball to right field but BP's right fielder couldn't hang onto the ball which slid down his glove. The game should have been over at that point with Continental's winning run crossing the plate.

But on an appeal by BP's coaching staff, catcher Christopher Rivera tagged first base. Turns out the batter never touched the base but rather made an about face to congratulate his teammates who have now gathered at home plate, emptying Continental's dugout. Cheers and jeers bellowed when the umpires ruled Continental's batter did not touch first base therefore nullifying the run scored. CLICK HERE TO HEAR THE SOUND BYTE OF ONE OF THE OFFICIALS EXPLAINING THE CONTROVERSIAL CALL.

The entire Continental coaching staff argued the call. One of Continental's players was cited for an obscene unsportsmanlike hand gesture and was ejected from the game. You get the drift: he gave a one-finger salute. One Continental coach became vocal and belligerent landing him an early trip to the showers as District officials showed him the way to the parking lot.

The public address announcer demanded both sides of the stands and benches to clear out and convene in their respective outfields - away from each other for fear of more unruly chaotic behavior or retaliation.

Public safety officers were summoned and would be seen throughout the remainder of the game.
Oh, and speaking of the remainder of the game: with Schultz exhausting all of his pitches, Ryan Morgan took the mound and proved to be effective in shutting down batters or inducing ground balls for outs at first.

Clearly or not so clearly apparently, with very little daylight left in the game and after having gone through six innings of regulation, the 10th inning found a bouncing line drive hit up the middle which would then score the winning run at home for Continental.

The final score: Continental 5, Buena Park 4.

The sudden death all or nothing forced Game 6 will be held Thursday, July 12 at 5 p.m. @ Norwalk Little League.

BP is expected to start Rivera on the mound.

It's do or die for either team. There's a strong hint in the air BP refuses to go twice in a row to Continental.

Same bat channel, same bat time...same bats?