In 2017, the Cuban national baseball team played an exhibition game against the Rockland Boulders, and things spiraled into chaos after a controversial call at second base. The runner, half-brother of Yoenis Céspedes, was initially ruled safe after a close play. The Rockland shortstop argued that the ball was knocked from his glove, but replays suggested he just dropped it. Despite having the best angle, the umpire who made the call consulted with his crew. After a weird moment of awkward silence and odd gestures, the call was overturned. Nobody seemed to understand how or why.
The Cuban team lost it. Multiple coaches and players loudly disagreed with the decision. One by one, they started getting tossed, starting with Machado and then Gonzalez. Céspedes stayed on second and kicked dirt toward the ump in frustration, prompting more ejections. The umpires looked overwhelmed and a bit scared as the Cuban squad surrounded them and made physical contact, which the head ump loudly pointed out again and again. Eventually, the Cuban team was escorted from the field, and the game was called. The Rockland players celebrated a win with high fives. The umps looked like they were just trying to get out safely. It was a weird and messy end to what should have been a simple exhibition matchup.