Bryce Harper Scuffs Atlanta ‘A’ Entering Batter’s Box, Enraging Braves Fans

WASHINGTON (CBSDC) — While watching the final offering of the Nationals and Braves three-game series today, you’re likely going to hear a lot about Bryce Harper doing his part to reignite the rivalry between the two clubs.

The reason being: Harper dragged his foot across the Braves ‘A’ as he made his way to the batters’ box late last night early this morning, an act he insisted after the game was unintentional.

With one out in the top of the second inning, Harper, entering the batter’s box from the visitors’ dugout on the third base line, appeared to stutter-step as he neared the ‘A’ — located directly behind where the umpire would stand — cocking his right foot outward and dragging it along the ‘A,’ causing some dirt to brush over it.

Here are a few separate angles.

GIF: Bryce Harper scuffs Braves "A" behind home plate, this may start a nice silly controversy (FS1) twitpic.com/e9udk6

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CJ Fogler (@cjzero) August 10, 2014

Harper would single on a slow roller to shortstop Emilio Bonifacio, and later deny allegations he intentionally defiled the Braves’ apparently sacred ‘A.’

Bryce Harper insists he had no idea he was walking on Braves logo. "That's the last thing on my mind when I'm walking to the plate."

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Mark Zuckerman (@ZuckermanCSN) August 10, 2014

Regardless of culpability, Braves fans were irate on Twitter. The Braves’ official Twitter account took notice, too.

#RespectTheA

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Atlanta Braves (@Braves) August 10, 2014

Some people had jokes.

Braves are mad at Bryce Harper for smearing their "A" Oh how quickly they forget what they do to their own field. http://t.co/qROs55VJR4

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Cardiac Nats (@CardiacNatitude) August 10, 2014

The Nationals would win 4-1 with a 3-run 11th inning, and everyone would go to bed really, really late.

Not lost on those that were there, but that was the latest game in #Nats history. Ended at 2:29. We've never played later. Big win too!

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Washington Nationals (@Nationals) August 10, 2014