Jack Flaherty and Lamont Wade Jr. had a tense exchange during a one-run game between two teams with similar S logos. Wade doubled off Flaherty in the inning, then started dancing around on second base, clearly trying to distract the pitcher. Flaherty noticed the movement and seemed irritated, possibly suspecting Wade of signaling pitch locations to the batter. Wade kept bobbing and shuffling as Flaherty worked through the at-bat, eventually getting out of the jam with a curveball for a groundout to end the inning.
As the teams switched sides, Flaherty didn’t let it go. He continued jawing at Wade, accusing him of passing signals. Wade responded, insisting he wasn’t doing anything. The umpire stepped in, trying to keep Flaherty in control by saying, “I’m trying to keep you in the game.” But tensions boiled over, and both benches ended up clearing onto the field.
No punches were thrown, but the confrontation highlighted how something as small as a player’s footwork on the bases can spark suspicion and throw off a pitcher’s rhythm. Frustration, gamesmanship, or both, Flaherty wasn’t having it, and he made sure Wade knew.