No. 1 Tennessee (34-3, 14-1 SEC) will play at Florida (23-14, 6-9 SEC) Friday-Sunday.
First pitch for Friday and Saturday’s games are slated for 6:30 p.m. EDT (SEC Network+). Sunday’s series finale is set for noon EDT (SEC Network+).
Vitello bumped into umpire Jeffrey Macias during the April 16 contest. The fifth-year head coach is slated to return Sunday in the Vols’ series finale at Florida.
Third base coach Josh Elander is serving as Tennessee’s acting head coach during Vitello’s suspension.
Vitello still earns Tennessee’s wins and losses to his head coaching record while Elander is serving as acting head coach. If Elander were an interim head coach, and not an acting head coach, Vitello would not receive wins and losses during his suspension.
Vitello’s ejection and suspension caused Indiana University Southeast (NAIA) head coach Benjamin Reel to voice his opinion and concerns regarding Macias.
Reel initially reached out to Vols Wire and discussed how umpires should be held accountable for actions during games. He mentioned having umpires meet with media following games like coaches do would help with transparency of decisions made during contests.
“There is no accountability amongst officials,” Reel told Vols Wire. “Their job is to put their ego and pride aside and work together to get the call right. Unfortunately there are the Jeff’s of the officiating world.
“As coaches, our losses are public information, so maybe their losses need to be public as well.”
Macias was the home plate umpire for Tennessee’s game against Texas in the College World Series last season.
Tennessee assistant coach Ross Kivett was ejected in the game. He was ejected for arguing balls and strikes.
Ahead of game No. 1 of the Tennessee-Florida series, Vitello met with media for the first time since his ejection and suspension.
Vitello was asked about being ejected by Macias in the Alabama series and the history of having him officiate Tennessee’s games.
“The quirky set of circumstances, there is a little bit of history there, but that day started out – I saw that whole crew earlier in the day,” Vitello said. “I could have been more relaxed in that game, but a crazy set of circumstances that weren’t handled well led to all that, and the rest of that crew, de-escalation is a big deal. They did a phenomenal job and did a phenomenal job the rest of the weekend, too.
“Data, unfortunately, is a big part of what goes on now. Those next two games, those scores were off the charts and the rest of the game was handled well.”
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