'Bruh': Umpire ejects baseball PA announcer from game for use of sound drops
CBC
Jeff Hopman says he didn't mean to hurt anybody's feelings and was inspired by Twitch and YouTube videos his kids watch.
The public address announcer works for the Chatham-Kent Barnstormers, an expansion team with the Intercounty League Baseball (IBL).
"It's just the constant change and the unexpected drops in the sound effects that make you chuckle," said Hopman.
"I just found that entertaining. I thought I would bring that to the ballpark."
He was ejected by an umpire during Sunday's lopsided loss to the Guelph Royals at Fergie Jenkins Field in Chatham, Ont.
"I think it was a conglomeration of all the events over the past few days, and some of the umpires have been there for more than one game that they just got tired of my shtick," said the 47-year-old.
The IBL is an independent Canadian league consisting of nine Ontario teams.
"To be honest with you — and I don't want this to sound cocky and conceited — I don't think the IBL, which has been around for 100 years, was quite ready for what I bring to the table."
The straw that broke the camel's back and led to his ejection, according to Hopman, was when he used a sound bite that included the word "bruh" in relation to balls and strikes.
"That one was legitimately critiquing the umpire's calls."
The Chatham resident says he remains in good standing with the team and if the league isn't ready to accept that kind of in-game experience he'll dial it back.
"I'm willing to. Many people have put too much effort and money and time into the Chatham-Kent Barnstormers for me to throw it all away, just to drop a few sound clips."
WATCH | PA announcer gets ejected from IBL game in Chatham, Ont. [1:55:30]:
The Barnstormers next home game is scheduled for June 7 vs. Brantford. And Hopman says he'll be a tad hesitant when it comes to firing clips.
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