Latest news with #MarcoRocco
Fox News
6 days ago
- Sport
- 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
- Sport
- New York Post
Jazz Chisholm calls out 'ridiculous' suspension for bat-flipping NJ Little Leaguer
Many across the sports world — including one Yankees star — have now sounded off about the drama surrounding New Jersey Little Leaguer Marco Rocco. After the 12-year-old from Haddonfield Little League hit a two-run homer on July 16, Rocco flipped his bat in the air in jubilation. That crossed the line, according to the game's umpire, and Rocco was tossed from the game, meaning he was also suspended from the next game his team played in the state tournament. But after his family took legal action, Rocco was allowed to play his next game on Thursday, where Haddonfield ultimately lost 10-0 to Elmora Little League. His squad did win Friday, 11-3, over Ridgewood. 3 Marco Rocco and the bat flip that caused the ejection. X / @Spicoli_____ This incident led some MLB players to speak on the ejection, including Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. Chisholm Jr. was on Rocco's side, saying that the suspension was 'ridiculous.' 3 New York Yankees' Jazz Chisholm Jr. (13) rounds the bases after hitting a three-run home run against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning of a baseball game in Toronto on Tuesday, July 22, 2025. AP 'I thought that was ridiculous,' Chisholm told reporters Friday, according to the Associated Press. 'You're going suspend a kid for having fun? Crazy.' Three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer was also on Rocco's side. '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,' Scherzer said. 3 Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Max Scherzer throws to a New York Yankees batter in first inning of a baseball game in Toronto on Tuesday, July 22, 2025. AP Little League abided by a judge's ruling that allowed Rocco to keep playing, but said it was frustrated with the decision. '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. 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,' the organization wrote in a statement. Rocco's father, Joe, said on Tuesday — before the decision was made to allow his son to play — that the family was upset by the entire situation. 'We're sick to our stomachs over this,' Rocco told the Cherry Hill Courier Post on Tuesday after the Haddonfield 12-U team's practice. 'My son is distraught. He said, 'I didn't know I was breaking a rule, I see bat flips all over TV during the Little League World Series.' 'He doesn't understand why he was ejected from the game. I told him, 'Sometimes life isn't fair, but I'll go to bat for you.'' Haddonfield will next play Elmora on Saturday at 7 p.m.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
In latest bat flip flap, big league players side with Little Leaguer
NEW YORK (AP) — 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.' ___ AP Sports Writer Larry Lage contributed to this report.
The Independent
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Independent
In latest bat flip flap, big league players side with Little Leaguer
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.' ___ AP Sports Writer Larry Lage contributed to this report.
Washington Post
6 days ago
- Sport
- Washington Post
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.
