Erik Bakich: ‘Dumb’ rule changes plan during 2025 suspension from 2024 ejection

Clemson baseball coach Erik Bakich acknowledged a new “dumb” rule for the 2025 season that will prevent him from being in the stadium for the opener.

This stems back from his ejection during the Super Regional against Florida last June. He and assistant coach Jack Leggett were tossed from the game in the top of the 13th inning in Game 2 and had to serve the suspension in the next game.

Well, the next game is here: Friday February 14th vs. Oklahoma State in Arlington, Texas. And Bakich won’t be able to be inside!

“I get to be on the radio. So I’m going to, you know, I can’t get ejected on the radio. So I’ll be, I’ll be commentating to my best ability,” Bakich said. “So I’ll be on the radio, and doing my very best from there. But yeah, you know, weird kind of dumb rule, can’t even set foot in the stadium, but you know, whatever. We’ll make the best of it.”

But because of Bakich not being allowed inside the stadium during the game, he’ll still be on the radio, but from his hotel room he revealed.

“We got denied to be in the radio booth. Is that right,” Bakich said. “So, yeah, can’t be in the booth. So I’ll have to do it from the hotel room.”

Despite not being able to coach his guys, Bakich is confident in his staff, as usual. Even though Leggett won’t be there either. He’ll be Greenville, according to Bakich.

“Nick Schanbel is our assistant head coach,” Bakich said. “And, you know, he and I played together at East Carolina. We’ve been together for, this is our 13th season together, you know? The team’s in very good hands … And you know, I’ve part of what we talk about as the group, is as coaches, you know, our job is to eliminate our job. 

“If we’re so active and (our) attention to detail is thorough and the preparation and the training is good during all the practice sessions leading up, then the games really should be about the players anyways, and just their time to shine and let them just go get it.”

As far as the ejection from last season, it could be argued that it shouldn’t have happened. Clemson’s Alden Mathes launched a pivot solo home run, spiking his bat in the process. Leggett was ejected during the aftermath and then Bakich argued.

Well, that led to his ejection and ultimately the suspension to start the 2025 season. But at least he’ll be there in spirit, or on the radio in some sort of fashion.