College baseball often brings a unique energy and excitement that some fans find more thrilling than MLB. And why not? There are moments exclusive to the NCAA and not frequent in a more organized atmosphere like MLB. While each game is a potential step towards getting drafted or securing a professional career, it leads to high tension and raw emotion. Something seen on Friday between the LSU Tigers and the Tennessee Volunteers.
Raw emotion is expected in high-leverage situations, but when was the last time you saw an umpire yelling at the hitter to run the base till the hit leads to anything? The game on Friday night just witnessed that. While the ballpark atmosphere was nothing short of electric, the climax scene started when Jared Jones, Tigers’ standout first baseman, delivered a dramatic walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Jones’ three-run blast capped a six-run rally, securing a 6–3 victory for the LSU Tigers in the series opener. The home run traveled an estimated 452 feet, igniting the home crowd and sending the Tigers to a crucial win in the SEC standings. Sounds impressive, right? Then let’s get deep into the scene.
Bears Hunt At Night pic.twitter.com/Sc8kb5jh7l
— LSU Baseball (@LSUbaseball) April 26, 2025
It was too late for the entire team to wait for the 452-footer to reach the stands before rushing out of the dugout. The way Jones took his time, admiring the ball as it soared through the sky, only added to the moment’s drama. The umpire was seen yelling at the Tigers slugger to run to the base till the ball lands for a home run. However, Jones was confident enough about his hit and so why run when it’s a homer?
It’s rare to see that kind of unfiltered emotion in baseball, where players are so completely caught up in the magnitude of their achievement. And when the team swarmed him at home plate, it was like watching a tidal wave of energy and celebration. Now that the Tigers have the victory and are now focusing on the series win against the Volunteers, fans are left stunned.
The visual of the umpire yelling at Jones just after the hit is not sitting well with the fans. Taking to X, they are sharing their frustration about how that was a nasty reaction from the umpire towards a college guy. Or is it?
Fans are standing behind the LSU Tigers’ slugger
So, was Jones right in this case by waiting for the homer, or if the umpire just doing his duty? Considering the fans’ reaction, Jones might be getting the most favors from the umpire.
Ump absolutely hates fun
— Husker740 (@husker740) April 26, 2025
Does the umpire hate the players having fun on the field? One fan thinks so. On Friday night, it was a wild moment after the way the Tigers snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, after likely being counted out. So yes, for the college guys like Jones, it was a dream-come-true moment that might have made him go with the flow. “I just blacked out with [this] moment,” Jones said post-game. Hence, fans believe it was just a pure clutch moment, the umpire tried to sabotage.
“Let the kids play with emotion! They work so hard for moments like these.” The same emotion is shared by one user. Well, college rivalries can often carry more weight than MLB rivalries because of the regional pride and the energy that comes with a college campus rivalry. These matchups feel more personal and community-driven, which leads to some of the most intense moments in college sports. In this case, the Tigers were spellbound getting the unexpected win that made Jones the star of the moment. Why not let the guys enjoy the moment then?
But without the Umps egos whatever shall Baseball do.
— White Shadow (@BlazedDragon33) April 27, 2025
Ahh, one fan decided to give a gut punch to the system. How? Umpiring in baseball, especially in MLB, is long accused of blown-up calls and an adamant approach. Remember yesterday’s game between the Mets and the Nationals? The umpire wrongly ruled a drop ball for a catch. So yes, the umpires in baseball might hate to get contended, and that’s how the system works. What is baseball without the human intensity of the umpires? The same applies in the Tigers’ game.
“Jared, you seem to forget that we’re all there to watch the umps, not the players.” What a sarcastic take by a fan! Honestly, it is the players who are supposed to get all the limelight on the field. The fans are thronging the ballparks in the NCAA to witness the next generation of stars in the making. So, there’s no role of the umpires other than officiating the game; this time, the umpire coming in between Jones’ once-in-a-lifetime celebrations doesn’t offer any value for the fans.
This is an NCAA directive. The umps are supposed to stop the posing before it leads to anything.
— Matt Straub (@Mattatthebank) April 27, 2025
While the majority of fans are taking it out on the umpire, is it true that the umpire is at fault here? One user offered a good insight here. Showboating is not illegal in baseball. But the rule regarding batters running after hitting a home run is largely a matter of etiquette. Moreover, while the hitter took a long hit enough to make a home run, it is advised to run before any conclusion. So yes, the umpire might not be at fault in the Tigers’ game.
Well, it was undoubtedly a dreamy affair for the LSU Tigers as well as for Jones. It’s a testament to how college baseball can turn on a dime and deliver moments that fans will never forget. What do you think?
The post College Umpire’s Nasty Reaction to LSU Tigers Hitter’s Homerun Posing Angers Baseball Community appeared first on EssentiallySports.