Ump show: Cody Bellinger called for pitch clock violation during standing ovation

Cody Bellinger tipped his cap to the Dodgers fanbase in return to Los Angeles, and he was assessed a pitch clock violation by the home plate umpire.

For the first time in his MLB career, Cody Bellinger is not a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers organization.

After making his debut in 2017, Bellinger won the National League MVP award in 2019 and helped the team win the World Series in 2020. But after his production took a hit, he was non-tendered by the Dodgers, allowing him to hit free agency. Shortly thereafter, Bellinger signed a one-year, $17.5 million contract with the Chicago Cubs.

On Friday, Bellinger made his return to Dodger Stadium, but as a member of the opposing dugout. In the top of the second inning, Bellinger stepped inside the batter’s box and received a standing ovation from Dodgers fans in attendance. It was a feel-good moment between the outfielder and the fanbase of the team he used to play for. So, he stepped outside the batter’s box to tip his cap to the crowd.

That was when the latest edition of “The Ump Show,” struck. Home plate umpire Jim Wolf assessed Bellinger a pitch clock violation, putting him in an 0-1 hole in the count.

Cody Bellinger assessed pitch clock violation for acknowledging standing ovation from Dodgers fans

We get that the pitch clock is being heavily enforced this year by MLB to speed up the game, but this was a bit ridiculous. Bellinger was acknowledging the crowd for their standing ovation. But, Wolf was enforcing the rules.

Under the new rules, the batter must stand in the box or alert the pitcher within eight seconds. If not, they are assessed an automatic strike.

In that at-bat, Bellinger forced a full count, but grounded out to first baseman Freddie Freeman.

Bellinger did make the most of his second at-bat in the top of the fourth inning, hitting a double to right field, and scoring on a ground out by Eric Hosmer.

Entering Friday night, Bellinger was slashing .238/.298/.405 while recording two home runs, seven runs scored, nine RBI, and 10 hits. Bellinger also struck out just seven times, while being walked four times.

Returning baseball players have received standing ovations when stepping into the batter’s box in the past. Now we know players will have to do so in an eight-second span, or get issued an automatic strike like Bellinger received from Wolf.