Veteran umpire apologizes for Bumgarner ejection

Veteran umpire Dan Bellino has issued an apology after ejecting Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Madison Bumgarner in the first inning of Wednesday’s game against the Miami Marlins.

” I would like to address my actions regarding Madison Bumgarner on May 4. “When I began my MLB career almost 15 years ago, I received some good advice. I was instructed to umpire every game like my children were in the front row. This week, I failed to meet those expectations. I am fully responsible for what I did wrong, even though I cannot go back and make amends. I will learn from this experience and I deeply apologize. “

Bumgarner, 32, was thrown out at the end of the inning during a routine check of his hands and glove for sticky substances. Bumgarner and Diamondbacks personnel got into a heated argument. Bumgarner eventually calmed down after the situation escalated for several more minutes.

Bellino was disciplined for the incident, according to a source familiar with the situation, though he’s working the series between the Houston Astros and Detroit Tigers this weekend.

Bumgarner will not face further discipline.

” You guys have seen the video,” Bumgarner stated after Wednesday’s game. “I don’t know if there is anything I can say that would improve the situation. “

Bellino claimed that Bumgarner was thrown because he used profanity towards him. The veteran pitcher expressed frustration earlier in the inning at Ryan Willis’s ball/strike call. This was just minutes before Bellino confronted him.

Although it’s rare for umpires to publicly apologize, Bellino felt it was necessary here.