NJ Little League bat flipper's team mercy-ruled halfway through state tournament game
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.
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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.
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