Sports

Louisiana Baseball Coach Charges At Opposing Dugout In Fit Of Rage Over Cowardly Heckling

by Last Updated
College Baseball Matt Deggs Fight Louisiana James Madison Ejected
ESPN +

Louisiana head coach Matt Deggs was ejected from the college baseball game against James Madison on Saturday. He charged at the opposing dugout in a fit of rage.

The Dukes would not stop chirping from behind the protective fence.

Although this kind of behavior should not be celebrated in college baseball, it is part of what makes the sport so much fun. Deggs deserves credit for standing on business when his opponent would not do so.

Louisiana had a player ejected against James Madison.

This incident took place during the top of the fourth inning. It started with a close play a first base.

Ragin’ Cajuns outfielder Maddox Mandino laid down a bunt to lead off the first at-bat of the inning. The first baseman was able to field the bunt with more than enough time to tag out the runner. He set up in the base path to secure his position ahead of Mandino’s arrival to the bag. Mandino ran directly at him.

The 5-foot-9, 175-pound junior tried to knock the ball loose from James Madison’s first baseman as he waited to apply the tag. His effort was not successful.

Upon further review, the umpires determined Mandino made malicious contact.

NCAA Rule 8-7 says: “The runner may not attempt to dislodge the ball from the fielder. Contact above the waist shall be judged by the umpire as an attempt by the runner to dislodge the ball.” The umpire ruled Mandino made an attempt to dislodge the ball. If “the contact is flagrant or malicious, the runner shall be declared out and also ejected from the contest.” Mandino was tossed accordingly.

The Dukes tried to take matters into their own hands before the ejection was announced. They did not allow the umpiring crew to handle the situation and started to chirp at Mandino for his behavior.

Head coach Matt Deggs went ballistic and charged at the dugout.

Louisiana-Lafayette (or whatever they want to be called these days) did not take kindly to James Madison’s remarks. Ragin’ Cajuns head coach Matt Deggs was especially furious with his opponent’s unwillingness to let things play out according to the rulebook.

He charged at the opposing dugout in a fit of rage.

The 54-year-old was fully prepared to throw hands with whomever wanted the smoke. None of them did.

The Dukes stayed behind their protective dugout fence at their coach’s direction to avoid any additional repercussions and/or ejections. Deggs kept coming. An umpire had to step in to keep him at a distance.

Here is the full sequence of events from start to finish:

As you could imagine, the head coach was ejected alongside his player. Louisiana went on to lose 5-1.