Little Leaguer suspended for bat flip allowed to play after court ruling
Marco Rocco was in the lineup for his team of all-stars, representing the town of Haddonfield, hours after a Gloucester County judge granted an emergency temporary restraining order that had been sought by Rocco's father.
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6 days ago
In latest bat flip flap, big league players side with Little Leaguer
NEW YORK -- Jazz Chisholm Jr., known for playing with flair, noticed when a Little Leaguer was suspended in baseball's latest bat flip flap. 'I thought that was ridiculous. You're going suspend a kid for having fun?" the New York Yankees All-Star infielder said Friday. 'Crazy.' Marco Rocco, a 12-year-old from Haddonfield, New Jersey, tossed his bat in the air on July 16 after his sixth-inning, two-run homer in the final of the sectional tournament for Haddonfield's under-12 team against Harrison Township on July 16. His father went to court and got the suspension eliminated. 'If it's a game-changing homer, it's fine. Even when I'm on the mound, it doesn't irk me. It's a human reaction and it's good for the game, just like a pitcher doing a fist pump after a big strikeout," said Toronto pitcher Max Scherzer, a three-time Cy Young Award winner. "I side-eye someone if they hit a solo shot and their team is down 5-0. That doesn't jive with me. I don't like it when opponents or teammates do that. I feel the same way about Little Leaguers.' Rocco was ejected for what his family was told were actions deemed 'unsportsmanlike' and 'horseplay,' and an ejection results in an automatic one-game suspension. His father, Joe, is a lawyer and his dad filed suit. Judge Robert G. Malestein of New Jersey Superior Court ruled in favor of the Roccos, and Marco played for Haddonfield against Elmora Little League in a 10-0 loss Thursday in the opener of a four-team, double-elimination tournament at the Deptford Township Little League complex. Marco went 0 for 2 with two strikeouts. 'I wish nobody would do a bat flip. I'm kind of traditional,' Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson said before adding, 'But let him play.' A staid sport for much of the 19th and 20th centuries, baseball has embraced emotion in recent years. José Bautista's bat flip against Texas in a 2015 AL Division Series was featured in the video game MLB The Show 16. 'It's a kid's game, Whether you're a kid or a major leaguer, we're in a have-fun era," Detroit catcher Jake Rogers said. "If you earn that moment, you earn that moment.'
Fox News
6 days ago
- Fox News
Yankees star Jazz Chisholm Jr rips Little League for suspending 12-year-old over bat flip celebration
A Little League baseball player is getting major league support. Marco Rocco, a 12-year-old player for Haddonfield Little League in New Jersey, was suspended from a state tournament this week after he flipped his bat in celebration following a home run during a game on July 16. The suspension was overturned as the incident turned into a legal battle when his family sought an emergency temporary restraining order that would allow Marco to play in the state tournament beginning on Thursday. A judge agreed, allowing Marco to play. News of the controversial suspension reached MLB, and several players, including New York Yankees star Jazz Chisholm Jr., who was shocked by the disciplinary measures taken. "I thought that was ridiculous. You're going to suspend a kid for having fun?" the All-Star said. "Crazy." Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Max Scherzer agreed, adding that celebrations from opposing players never seemed to bother him. "If it's a game-changing homer, it's fine. Even when I'm on the mound, it doesn't irk me. It's a human reaction, and it's good for the game, just like a pitcher doing a fist pump after a big strikeout," the three-time Cy Young Award winner said. "I side-eye someone if they hit a solo shot and their team is down 5-0. That doesn't jive with me. I don't like it when opponents or teammates do that. I feel the same way about Little Leaguers." Little League released a statement after the judge's decision, doubling down on its support of umpires. "While we continue to follow any orders governed by the court of law, Little League is extremely disappointed that time, energy, and attention were diverted away from our volunteers and communities who are creating positive experiences for all players and families throughout the International Tournament," the statement read. "Trusted by parents and communities around the world, Little League holds the integrity of the game, respect for game officials, and sportsmanship of teams as core tenants of our program. We expect all players, coaches, volunteers, and staff to uphold these values at all times." Marco competed against Elmora Little League in the first game of a four-team, double-elimination tournament on Thursday night. He went 0 for 2 as the team lost 10-0 in a game that was shortened because of the mercy rule. He'll compete again on Saturday night.
New York Post
6 days ago
- New York Post
Nephew of NYC Council's top Republican selected by Arizona Diamondbacks in MLB Draft
This pol's flip flop comes from the heart. NYC Council Minority Leader Joann Ariola's nephew Joe was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the Major League Baseball Draft last week — and the longtime Mets fan is already switching her allegiances. 'I'm changing my hat,' the Queens GOPer and new Diamondbacks fan declared to The Post. 'I'm sorry. Blood is thicker.' Advertisement Joe Ariola, a 6-2 190-pound lefty hurler, played three seasons at Wake Forest University and was tapped in the seventh round by the Diamondbacks with the 213th pick – guaranteeing him a $274,100 signing bonus. That's nearly double his aunt's $148,500 take as a council member. 4 Joe Ariola, a New York native and nephew of NYC Council Minority Leader Joann Ariola, is a top pitching prospect.. Getty Images Advertisement 'He's very special to me because he's my godson, and because it was hard work and determination that got him there,' she said. 'He has achieved the dream of every Little Leaguer.' The pol also offered a glowing scouting report of her new favorite player: 'He's a lefty pitcher that could throw between 93 to 97 miles per hour, and he's got a curveball that is next to unhittable.' The younger Ariola, who was born in Queens and raised in Malverne on Long Island, has faced his share of obstacles throughout his young career. He had a spectacular freshman year at Chaminade High School, giving up only a single earned run while striking out 80 batters in just 34 2/3 innings. Advertisement 4 NYC Council Minority Leader Joann Ariola offered a glowing scouting report of her nephew Joe Ariola. Michael Nagle 'Our eyes popped out when we first saw him pitch. It was like finding a winning lottery ticket you didn't know was there,' recalled the high school's baseball coach Joseph Caso. However, the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled Ariola's sophomore season and then he underwent Tommy John surgery, wiping out his last two seasons in high school. But he had already shown more than enough ability to score a scholarship to play for baseball powerhouse Wake Forest. Advertisement During the MLB Draft broadcast, announcer Jim Callis referred to Ariola as an 'upside play' who issued too many walks at Wake Forest but 'who's stuff is really interesting.' 4 Joe Ariola pitched three seasons for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Getty Images The younger Ariola said he agreed with Callis' assessment and is excited to be in the Diamondbacks' minor league system, where he plans to work on improving his control. Although he wasn't drafted by the team he grew up rooting for – the Yankees – Ariola said 'it was special' to pitch for their former minor-league affiliate Trenton Thunder in last month's MLB Draft League — especially on the same field where past and present Bronx Bombers like Aaron Judge and Derek Jeter once played. 'I had three starts and did well,' he said. 'Great coaches over there. It was so super comfortable and they just welcomed me with open arms.' 4 Joann Ariola said her nephew and godson Joe Ariola 'has achieved the dream of every Little Leaguer.' Obtained by the New York Post But he also said his days of rooting for the Yankees are over. 'It was definitely a thrill to get drafted by the Diamondbacks,' he said.
