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Minnesota Twins manager Derek Shelton on Sunday became the first manager to be ejected due to the new automated ball and strike system (ABS) during a loss to the Baltimore Orioles.
The Twins tried to rally in the top of the ninth inning. Minnesota had a runner on first with Josh Bell at the plate facing Ryan Helsley with one out. It appeared that Helsley threw a 3-2 pitch out of the zone, issuing a walk to Bell, which would have put two runners on base. As Bell headed toward first base, Helsley poked his head and called for a challenge.
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Minnesota Twins manager Derek Shelton talks with umpire Laz Diaz about a pitching challenge during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
As part of the ABS review, the pitch was reversed and called strike three.
Shelton was furious as he left the dugout. He argued that Helsley didn’t contest the pitch quickly enough. After a few moments of yelling, Shelton was kicked out of the match.
“I didn’t think Helsley tapped his cap fast enough,” Shelton told reporters after the game, via MLB.com. “Maybe he did, maybe he didn’t, but I didn’t feel like he was. I feel like it had to be something in the three seconds, and I didn’t think it was there. But the officiating crew thought it was.”
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Minnesota Twins manager Derek Shelton leaves the field after striking out pitcher Kody Funderburk during the seventh inning of an opening baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Thursday, March 26, 2026, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Helsley said he understood why Shelton was angry and added that he was “confused” at first because he didn’t think the referee saw him tap his head to signal a challenge.
He said second base umpire Laz Diaz defended him.
“I can respect Shelton for trying not to convince him to do it there, because it seemed like it was a bit of a long shot at that point,” he added.
Baltimore won the game 8-6. Orioles outfielder Tyler O’Neill hit his first home run of the season in the fourth inning against Bailey Ober.
Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman, left, and pitcher Ryan Helsley celebrate their 8-6 win over the Minnesota Twins during a baseball game, Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
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Twins third baseman Royce Lewis hit his second home run of the year in the seventh inning.
