Latest news with #Rocco
New York Post
4 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
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
NJ Little League bat flipper's team mercy-ruled halfway through state tournament game
He scored a huge legal victory — but his team got crushed. A New Jersey Little League player was back out on the diamond Thursday night for a state tournament game just hours after a judge overturned his controversial suspension for flipping his bat. Marco Rocco's triumphant return, however, was overshadowed by the game's result as the Haddonfield Little League team was mercy-ruled at the bottom of the fourth inning in a 10-0 shellacking against the Elmora Youth League team, the 2019 state champs. Thursday night's matchup took on a new meaning after Rocco, 12, was unceremoniously ejected against Harrison Little League on July 16 and suspended for one game for launching his bat into the air after hitting a home run. Many other players had done the same throughout the season, as promoted on the Little League's social media, but the umpire still chose to give Marco the boot, citing a 'safety concern' over the celebration. . A judge overturned the 'draconian' suspension mere hours before Thursday night's game, asserting that the vague rules 'can't be enforced arbitrarily and capriciously.' The Little League Baseball organization was frustrated by the ruling and insisted that Rocco's behavior had been 'unsportsmanlike conduct' worthy of removal. '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. Marco's father originally filed a lawsuit against Little League Baseball on Tuesday seeking a restraining order to allow his son to play in the game. Despite the loss, the Haddonfield Little League team lives to see another day, thanks to the double elimination tournament format.
New York Post
5 days ago
- Sport
- New York Post
NJ Little League bat flipper's team mercy-ruled halfway through state tournament game
He scored a huge legal victory — but his team got crushed. A New Jersey Little League player was back out on the diamond Thursday night for a state tournament game just hours after a judge overturned his controversial suspension for flipping his bat. Marco Rocco's triumphant return, however, was overshadowed by the game's result as the Haddonfield Little League team was mercy-ruled at the bottom of the fourth inning in a 10-0 shellacking against the Elmora Youth League team, the 2019 state champs. 3 New Jersey Little League player Marco Rocco returned to the field on Thursday. Aristide Economopoulos Thursday night's matchup took on a new meaning after Rocco, 12, was unceremoniously ejected against Harrison Little League on July 16 and suspended for one game for launching his bat into the air after hitting a home run. Many other players had done the same throughout the season, as promoted on the Little League's social media, but the umpire still chose to give Marco the boot, citing a 'safety concern' over the celebration. . A judge overturned the 'draconian' suspension mere hours before Thursday night's game, asserting that the vague rules 'can't be enforced arbitrarily and capriciously.' The Little League Baseball organization was frustrated by the ruling and insisted that Rocco's behavior had been 'unsportsmanlike conduct' worthy of removal. '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. 3 Rocco's return was overshadowed by his team losing Thursday night's game. Aristide Economopoulos 3 Rocco was initially suspended for flipping his bat into the air to celebrate hitting a home run. X / @Spicoli_____ Marco's father originally filed a lawsuit against Little League Baseball on Tuesday seeking a restraining order to allow his son to play in the game. Despite the loss, the Haddonfield Little League team lives to see another day, thanks to the double elimination tournament format.
Washington Post
5 days ago
- Sport
- Washington Post
Little Leaguer suspended for bat flip allowed to play after court ruling
A judge allowed a New Jersey Little Leaguer to play in a state tournament game Thursday after he was suspended for using a bat flip to celebrate in a previous game, attorneys for the 12-year-old boy's family confirmed. 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.
New York Post
5 days ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Little League ‘extremely disappointed' by NJ court that overturned bat-flipper's suspension
Little League Baseball will respect a decision by Gloucester County Superior Court Judge Robert G. Malestein, but the organization sounded far from thrilled about it. Haddonfield, New Jersey, Little Leaguer Marco Rocco had his suspension temporarily overturned Thursday afternoon, allowing him to play in an important state tournament game at night. Rocco was suspended after he was ejected from a game last week for flipping his bat in the air in celebration of a home run. 3 Haddonfield Little League Baseball player Marco Rocco X / @Spicoli_____ The 12-year-old's family took the case to court, where they were victorious — hours before the New Jersey Little League State Tournament final was set to begin. It forced Little League Baseball to begrudgingly acquiesce to the court's ruling. 'Little League International respects, and will uphold, the Gloucester County Superior Court of New Jersey Chancery Division judge's decision to allow a Haddonfield (N.J.) Little League player to participate in the Little League Baseball New Jersey State Tournament and beyond following an ejection caused by unsportsmanlike conduct last week,' a statement released by the organization read. '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. 'We expect all players, coaches, and staff to uphold these values at all times.' 3 In this undated photo provided by Joseph Rocco, his son Marco Rocco prepares to deliver a pitch in a baseball game in Haddonfield, N.J. AP Rocco performed the celebration during a July 16 game against Harrison Little League, which led to his ejection and eventual suspension. Judge Malestein deemed that Little League had not been clear or consistent in its stance on bat flipping and didn't agree with the organization's argument that the case would create a slippery slope and would allow for parents to run to the courts when they disagreed with officials' rulings. 'There's no specific Little League rule that prohibits bat flipping. It's not illegal, it's not a violation of any express rule. And it appears to be promoted [by the league itself],' Malestein said during his decision. 3 'Joe' Rocco, Joe Rocco and his son Marco Rocco pose for a photo in Haddonfield, N.J. AP Little League stood behind its umpires in their statement. 'Little League maintains that tournament rules serve as the guide for any determination regarding conduct, of which falls distinctly under the discretion of the umpire,' the organization said. 'As all youth sports officiating continues to face challenges and abuse by parents and fans, and as we face a nationwide shortage of umpires and volunteers, it is more important than ever that we are supportive of Little League umpires, including the judgements and decisions they make at the local league level. 'While we understand and support the excitement and competition of our tournament, player safety and proper sportsmanship among all participants and fans must remain a focus. We respect the determination and judgement of the umpire who was present and are disappointed that a legal ruling contradicts the integrity of Little League International's value and rules.' Haddonfield is one of four remaining teams in the state tournament and is set to face Elmora at 8:30 p.m.
