A recent incident has stirred controversy in New Jersey, where a young baseball player was suspended from the state tournament for a bat flip during his home run celebration.
Marcorocco, a 12-year-old from Haddonfield Little League, hit a home run against the Harrison Little League last week. The umpire swiftly removed Rocco from the game, citing “safety concerns,” and imposed a one-game suspension. Despite his family’s objections, Little League International stated that he violated established rules. The Rocco family has since sought a temporary restraining order from the Gloucester County Court to challenge the suspension.
“He’s been playing Little League for as long as he can remember, and his dream is to make it to the World Series in Williamsport,” Joe Rocco expressed to NJ.com. “We’re at the state finals, just a few steps away. Now they’re saying he can’t play.”
Joe Rocco also called attention to what he sees as hypocrisy within the league, highlighting their promotion of bat flips on social media platforms.
“Little League International actively promotes bat flips across their social media, websites, and during broadcasts of the Little League World Series,” he pointed out.
Rocco remarked that Little League International “is never willing to compromise.”
The remaining four teams in the 12U division are set to compete in double elimination brackets in Deptford, New Jersey, on Thursday evening, with the winner advancing to the Metro Regional Tournament. Haddonfield is among the four remaining teams, alongside Holbrook, Elmore, and Ridgewood.
