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First baseman slams helmet after close call at first
TE ATATU - Wildcats first baseman Lawrence Lotze was ejected from Sunday’s game against the Skyrangers after being called out at first base to end the eighth inning.
The would-be base runner proved inconsequential, as West City eked out a 7-6 victory behind Gordon Niemann.
Lotze was thrown out by Howick shortstop Brad Gosney while hustling down the line off a hard hit ground ball.
In response to the close call, Lotze slammed his helmet to the ground, prompting first-base umpire Warren Van Rooyen to eject him.
"I don't know what the replay showed, but I thought I got in there," Lotze said. "It probably wasn't the best thing to spike my helmet, but it was one of those frustration plays.
"At that point in the ballgame, it would have been a critical hit."
It was the first ejection of Lotze's career at West City.
Manager Ken Sommers opted not to discuss the call in detail when asked about it after the game.
"I thought he was safe," Sommers said.
Lotze recieved a 1 game suspension for his actions, meaning he will be ineligible to play in the rematch against the Skyrangers at 10:00am Sunday February 14th.
