Florida Baseball: Braindead NCAA keeps Brandon Neely suspended

Ahead of its massive three-game set this weekend against South Carolina, Florida baseball confirmed that relief pitcher Brandon Neely would have his four-game suspension upheld and will have the miss following his ejection against Georgia.

It is a cowardly decision from an organization that is well known for being a cowardly organization.

Florida Baseball: No fun allowed

Neely had an adventurous weekend against Georgia last weekend. He blew a four-run lead last Friday to allow the Bulldogs to take game one of the series. After Florida won game two, Neely came into Sunday’s game in the 8th inning with two outs, men on second and third, with Florida hanging on to a two-run lead.

Neely got a big strikeout and gave a big fist pump, but nothing more. It was catharsis for Neely after Friday’s meltdown, so you would hope the umpires would recognize the moment and move on.

Nope.

Neely was ejected from the game for “unsportsmanlike conduct.” Per the NCAA rulebook, pitchers who get ejected are suspended for four games.

Kevin O’Sullivan and crew appealed the decision but revealed their appeal was denied yesterday.

Thus the cowardness of the NCAA has taken center stage. You may have seen the side-by-side video floating around where a LSU player was screaming obscenities toward the pitcher.

Apparently, that’s okay but a fist pump isn’t.

Tennessee baseball last season were the kings of bat flips and celebrations.

Apparently, that’s okay but a fist pump isn’t. Maybe Neely should have done a glove flip, and he would have been okay.

Any player who does anything good against Florida does the Gator Chomp as if they are the first to ever think of that idea.

Apparently, that’s okay but a fist pump isn’t. Maybe Neely should have barked like a dog, and he would have been fine.

The NCAA made this ruling because they didn’t want the feelings of their umpires to get hurt for making a brain-dead choice. Refs/umpires have a difficult job; make no mistake about it. I myself ref soccer on the side, and sometimes it is harder than it looks.

But I also attest to having worked with guys that make the game about themselves. That’s what happened on Sunday. And these guys are not working for poverty wages and the ability to buy a hot dog after the game. These umpires for the SEC are making good money to be out there.

So keep up the great work NCAA, and thanks for reminding us that no fun is allowed.

Well, only if you are a Florida Gator.