UBC's Heppner, Domingo both taken in Major League Baseball draft

Two more Thunderbirds have earned their opportunity to go pro, as UBC ace Sean Heppner and fireballer Vicarte Domingo have both been selected in the 2024 Major League Baseball Draft. Heppner was taken in the 12th round, 355th overall, by the Cleveland Guardians. Domingo was chosen in the 19th round, 570th overall, by the San Diego Padres. The two pitchers are the 32nd and 33rd players in program history drafted to or signed by an MLB team.

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Kennedy: It’s no longer “love thy neighbour, hate thy opponent” in MLB

“Yet there is one baseball rule that gets broken every day and by virtually every player, coach and manager. Disobedience is rampant, and not only are the rule-breakers never punished, they're never caught. They defy and disobey the rule with a sort of unwritten impunity. The illegal practice is far too widespread. Rigid enforcement and suspensions would wipe out the rosters of every team. We speak of Major League Baseball Rule 4.06, the most fractured, least-honoured, oft-overlooked law in the MLB rule book.

Rule 4.06 states: “Players in uniform shall not address or mingle with spectators, nor sit in the stands before, during, or after a game. No manager, coach or player shall address any spectator before or during a game. Players of opposing teams shall not fraternize at any time while in uniform.

Haha! Rule 4.06 gets battered and broken before and after each game, whether it's signing an autograph or tossing a ball into the stands. Opposing players, usually a baserunner and an infielder, break the rule each time they talk on the field, even if they're just comparing the amount of zeros in their new contract extensions.”

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