Newport Rams look likely to lose star US import Eric Kline for the rest of the season in Baseball Victoria’s summer league division 1.
Kline, who was so impressive with the Rams that he earned a call-up to the Melbourne Aces in the Australian Baseball League, was so incensed at an umpiring decision that went against him in Saturday’s 10-5 loss to Essendon that he verbally retaliated and got thrown out of the game.
Rams assistant coach Gavin Young told Star Weekly it was just about certain Kline would face an extended stint on the sidelines.
“He got struck out on a really bad call. He said something and the umpire threw him out,” Young said.
“Verbal abuse has been getting [bigger penalties] than striking recently. It’s been getting four weeks. I doubt he’ll get another game this season based on recent history.”
The Rams have been on the wrong end of some hefty losses in the new year. They were smashed 19-0 by Melbourne before back-to-back losses to Geelong, including one of 11-1.
But those results were not a true reflection of a Rams side that was decimated by rep call-ups.
The Rams were back at close to full strength for the clash with Essendon at KC White Reserve and it took the team with the best record in the league beyond the fifth inning to break away.
“We made a few mistakes and you can’t give a side of that quality those breaks,” Young said.
The Rams – third-last in their conference with a 9-11 record but well clear of relegation danger – were set to face Essendon (16-5) again last night before a home date with Sandringham (7-13) on Sunday.
