Tempers Flare Between Visiting Players, Umps After Boulders Victory

Tensions between the Brockton Rox and Can-Am League umpires over a close call at home plate that went in the favor of the Rockland Boulders Monday night erupted just after the end of the game, with Provident Bank Park security having to separate players and umps outside the locker room.

The incident took place after the Boulders came from behind late in the game to beat Brockton, 8-6. No one was reported injured – or arrested – in the clash that took place in front of fans gathering to meet players and get autographs.

As the three umpires — plate ump Dave Speranza and field umps Andrew Carroll and Richard Katz — were surrounded by Rox players, stadium security officers could be seen holding back an upset Rox manager and former Major League Baseball slugger Bill Buckner.

The clash was very public  — and very loud with "adult" language — because players and umpires get to the locker rooms on the main concourse of Provident Bank Park by going through the stands and walking among the public on a path that is known as the Boulders Trail. While some players were still on the field when the dispute broke out, most of the Boulders were already in the locker room at the time.

The Boulders rallied for five runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to defeat the Rox. After a bases loaded walk to Todd Jennings brought the Boulders within one, Ray Stokes slammed a line drive up the middle to bring around the tying and leading runs.  Deybis Benitez followed Stokes with his first hit as a Boulder, knocking in an insurance run for the Boulders.

The game was the first of a three-game set with Brockton at Provident Bank Park, to be followed by a one-day visit by the Boulders to Brockton. The same umpire crew that took the field Monday is set to be officiating Tuesday’s game.