What TSSAA report revealed about controversial state tournament bat-flip ejection
A player was ejected from a TSSAA baseball state tournament game for flipping his bat after a grand slam. Here's what the rules say.
MURFREESBORO — The TSSAA declined to comment and did not make an officiating director available to The Tennessean seeking clarity after a Webb School - Bell Buckle player was ejected for flipping his bat following a grand slam in the TSSAA baseball Division II-A state tournament on May 19. The grand slam brought Webb within 8-7 in the bottom of the fourth inning of the Feet’s eventual 18-7 loss to St. George’s.
The Webb player must serve a two-game suspension, in accordance with TSSAA rules. After the loss, Webb advanced with an 8-1 win over Grace Christian and will play the Lakeway Christian Academy vs. St.
George’s loser for a berth in the state championship game. The ejected player will be allowed to return if Webb makes the state final. More: TSSAA baseball state tournament 2026 championship brackets, scores This is Webb’s first appearance in the TSSAA baseball state tournament.
According to the game’s officials report obtained by The Tennessean, as the player advanced toward first base, “he turned toward the opposing team’s dugout, located on the first base side, and stared directly into the dugout area. He then flipped his bat in the direction of the opposing team’s dugout. In my judgment, this action constituted taunting and unsportsmanlike conduct, which is a major violation under NFHS rules and is classified as an ejectable offense.