Umpire Ruffles UCF Baseball Feathers By Cutting Walk-Up Song That Broke NCAA Rules

The home plate umpire asked that Knights infielder Javier Crespo’s walk-up song be cut before an at-bat. That pause ruffled feathers of the home team’s fanbase as viewers demanded clarity.

Why was the song cut? Did the umpire take offense to the music style or lyrics? Why was he taking fun from the game?

Umpire Damien Beal apparently did not like Javier Crespo’s walk-up music and asked for the sound to be cut. Crespo then got a single.@UCF_Baseball leads FGCU 2-1, now in the 2nd inning. pic.twitter.com/16PMpEwnIX

— Brandon Helwig (@UCFSports) March 4, 2026

Those questions are legitimate. We’ve seen music controversies in other sports related to team introductions involving controversial song choices or artists.

That was not the issue in this case.

UCF broke NCAA baseball rules.

It’s unclear from the video what Crespo’s walk-up song is. Those closer to the program might have more knowledge on the third baseman’s intro tune than I do.

Ultimately, that has no relevance to the situation.

The umpire was simply following NCAA rules. The rulebook clearly states that music must be cut when the batter enters the home plate circle.

NCAA Appendix B: Audio and LED or LED/Matrix Boards

All music, chants or crowd-cuing messages must stop when the batter enters the dirt circle. Use of LED or LED/Matrix boards should stop when the batter steps into the batter’s box.

Crespo was clearly in the circle. The music continued to play. It’s a guideline the UCF baseball DJ has had problems adhering to according to some that follow the program.

The broadcast crew and a number of their viewers were unaware of the NCAA rule. Now, they know. Any ill-will directed at the umpire was unfounded. He was just doing his job.

After the stoppage, Crespo laced a single. He’d finish 2-4 on the night with a walk and a run scored. UCF won the baseball game, 12-5.