San Francisco Giants' Lee Jung-hoo has yet to wear a helmet that fits his head size. The same was true for Kim Ha-sung, who played for the San Diego Padres.

Helmets made in Western sizes were too big for Tongyang individuals like Kim Ha-sung and Lee Jung-hoo. Just like Kim Ha-sung, Lee Jung-hoo also had to struggle with helmets that would come off every time he swung and ran.

Even during this season, the sights of him readjusting his helmet showed no issues. However, on the 18th (Korean time), an incident occurred due to Lee Jung-hoo's helmet during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies held at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

That day, Lee Jung-hoo was left out of the starting lineup. It seemed he was taking a break, but in the 9th inning, with 2 outs and no runners on base, he appeared as a pinch hitter, trailing 4-6. As usual, Lee Jung-hoo fidgeted with his helmet as he prepared for the plate. After a full count battle against left-hander Jose Alvarado, he hit an infield single.

Afterward, the game ended without any subsequent hits. However, the umpire, Phil Cuzzi, who was officiating that day, went to the tunnel toward the San Francisco dugout and had a conversation with Lee Jung-hoo and interpreter Han Dong-hee.

The circumstances explained locally are as follows. On a 1 ball 1 strike count, Alvarado's third pitch, a 99.5 mph sinker, was low. It entered the lower zone of the strike zone, and umpire Phil Cuzzi called it a strike. At that moment, Lee Jung-hoo was fidgeting with his helmet. At this point, umpire Phil Cuzzi said something to Lee Jung-hoo.

According to local media such as 'NBC Sports Bay Area', 'The call came low in the strike zone on a 1-1 count, and Lee Jung-hoo tapped his helmet. Umpire Cuzzi seemed to misinterpret Lee Jung-hoo's action as an attempt to challenge the strike call. Umpire Cuzzi spoke to Lee Jung-hoo and later they discussed that situation after the game.'

After the game, Lee Jung-hoo told local media, 'As those who watch Giants games often know, I adjust my helmet with every pitch. I do it with every pitch. So, I said that I couldn’t speak English, and the umpire kept saying something, so I just said that I couldn’t speak English. That’s how the incident occurred.' He added, 'I think the umpire was sensitive today. So, it seems this situation arose.'

Umpire Cuzzi misinterpreted Lee Jung-hoo tapping his helmet as a request for a strike interpretation. This year, Major League Baseball has trialed the Automated Ball-Strike system (ABS) during the spring training exhibition games. Unlike in the KBO League, where each pitch is judged, it is a system where players can request a challenge. At this moment, the challenge gesture was tapping the helmet. Umpire Cuzzi made an unnecessary misunderstanding.

Dan Bellino, the crew chief umpire, explained to local reporters, 'This has to do with what was trialed during the exhibition game period. In Major League Baseball, players are no longer allowed to tap their helmets. This is because it is considered a protest against strike or ball calls. It is the same as objecting to the call.' He added, 'Of course, it is unclear whether Lee Jung-hoo was actually protesting. Umpire Phil Cuzzi stated, 'Even if you do not agree with the call, tapping your head might appear to protest the call, so please refrain from doing that.' However, due to the language barrier, it seems Lee Jung-hoo did not fully understand the umpire's words. There seems to have been some misunderstanding.'

Although the crew chief provided an explanation, he called out a scene that had not caused any issues until now. In fact, on that day, umpire Phil Cuzzi experienced many situations. San Francisco starter Jordan Hicks hit Philadelphia's Trey Turner with a 101 mph fastball, causing the Philadelphia dugout to become agitated. Additionally, Philadelphia's Alec Bohm entered the batter's box late, which angered Hicks. A verbal altercation also broke out. Umpire Phil Cuzzi was preoccupied with trying to calm the situation.

Hicks said, 'I didn’t say anything to the umpire. I should have organized myself because I didn’t like him coming up towards my face. It was a day filled with tensions everywhere.'

[OSEN]