Three Pitchers Ejected Before First Pitch Over Anthem Standoff

Three pitchers remained standing on the field after the national anthem concluded, prompting an ejection by the third-base umpire before the first pitch Saturday. The incident occurred in St. Petersburg, Florida, during a game between the visiting team and the home team.

Instead of returning to their dugouts, the three pitchers stayed in position near the baselines while two mascots also remained on the field.

As the visiting team's leadoff batter entered the batter's box, the third-base umpire ended the standoff by ejecting the three pitchers. The players had participated in what observers described as a competition to be the last one to leave the field.

The ejected pitchers included one from the visiting team who had pitched the previous day and two from the home team who had not appeared in games this season due to injuries.

The visiting team entered the series finale with a 23-36 record.

The home team had not used the two ejected pitchers in any games this season.