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Pitcher Gains Infamy After Hitting Ump

Did high school hurler miss on purpose in championship game?

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 9, 2008 1:31 PM CDT

(Newser) – If not for one pitch, Georgia’s high school championship game would be a topic of conversation in only a few places. Instead, the one-sided May 31 contest is getting nationwide buzz. With the cameras rolling, Stephens County High pitcher Cody Martin made it a contest to remember: Martin zinged a fastball straight at the umpire’s face as his catcher dived the opposite direction.

The pitch has now been viewed more than 400,000 times on YouTube, with everyone asking the same question: Was it on purpose? The umpire apparently thinks so—he tells the Atlanta Journal-Constitution he's considering legal action. “I think everybody's seen the video,” he says, “and that says it all.”

[Images (2)]

[Videos (1)]

"It hit him solid," Hightower said. "It wasn't a nick; it was full-on impact." (Shutterstock)

A screen capture from a video of the Cartersville-Stephens County Georgia high school baseball championship game. The ump took a pitch in the face while the catcher appeared to duck away. (thesyxxpac)

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The umpire is hit by a pitch from Stephens County Georgia High School Pitcher Cody Martin while the catcher appears to duck and miss the ball. (thesyxxpac)

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Pitcher Gains Infamy After Hitting Ump