Confusion from Freddie Freeman after umpire is caught applying chapstick: "Freddie be like Wtf"

For most, the name Freddie Freeman is synonymous with greatness. After leading the MLB in runs, hits and doubles, the first baseman is once again leading the league in the latter two categories.

In a game on May 25 against his former team, Freeman had one of the more bizarre encounters of the year, particularly due to the way that it was picked up by the broadcast cameras.

In the second at-bat of the game, Freddie Freeman was facing off against Braves pitcher Bryce Elder. On the 0-1 pitch, Freeman checked his swing, and the camera panned to the third base umpire, who was in the midst of applying chapstick and seemingly looked disinterested.

Freddie Freeman takes a strike on a check swing as the appeal to third finds the ump putting on chapstick
by u/pzycho in baseball

"Freddie Freeman takes a strike on a check swing as the appeal to third finds the ump putting on chapstick" - pzycho

Commenters on Reddit took particular pleasure in Freeman's deadpan expression after the strike was called against him. The former MVP simply shook his head in a disapproving manner.

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by u/MUNZATHEGOD from discussion Freddie Freeman takes a strike on a check swing as the appeal to third finds the ump putting on chapstick
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by u/Beachstacks from discussion Freddie Freeman takes a strike on a check swing as the appeal to third finds the ump putting on chapstick
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As per MLB rules, a checked swing is called by the umpire on the lines. In the case of Freeman, who is a right-handed batter, the calls become the responsibility of the umpire on the third base line.

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by u/hashbrownies91 from discussion Freddie Freeman takes a strike on a check swing as the appeal to third finds the ump putting on chapstick
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by u/sparkyman612 from discussion Freddie Freeman takes a strike on a check swing as the appeal to third finds the ump putting on chapstick
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Although the sequence was nothing short of hilarious, fans were quick enough to point out that the home plate umpire actually called Freeman's strike. Due to this, the approval of the third base umpire was luckily not needed.

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by u/josecleves from discussion Freddie Freeman takes a strike on a check swing as the appeal to third finds the ump putting on chapstick
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by u/CounterPoint93 from discussion Freddie Freeman takes a strike on a check swing as the appeal to third finds the ump putting on chapstick
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Nevertheless, fans were sure to pile on some rather creative suggestions for what the seemingly detached umpire might be doing while applying chapstick, and none of them had to do with baseball.

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by u/mysterysackerfice from discussion Freddie Freeman takes a strike on a check swing as the appeal to third finds the ump putting on chapstick
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by u/bigrich139 from discussion Freddie Freeman takes a strike on a check swing as the appeal to third finds the ump putting on chapstick
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The Braves ultimately went on to win the game by a score of 4-3, sparring themselves from the series loss. Freddie Freeman and the Braves will fly to Florida next to kick off a weekend series against the first-place Tampa Bay Rays.

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by u/xRememberTheCant from discussion Freddie Freeman takes a strike on a check swing as the appeal to third finds the ump putting on chapstick
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by u/truss458 from discussion Freddie Freeman takes a strike on a check swing as the appeal to third finds the ump putting on chapstick
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After airing grievances about the management of his former team, the Atlanta Braves, Freeman inked a six-year deal worth $162 million with the Los Angeles Dodgers prior to the 2022 season.

Freddie Freeman's incident exposes umpire needlessly

While the video sequence itself presents a worrying picture of a disinterested official, the truth is that the umpire was not needed at all.

Whether or not Freeman swung at the ball can be debated forever, but at least everyone knows that it was not the prerogative of the umpire on third base to decide this one.