On Wednesday, parents shared mixed reactions about a New Jersey boy being suspended after celebrating a home run by flipping his bat.
“It’s just ridiculous, really. I think it’s over the top, especially for the kids,” said Josh Baker, 28, who expressed his thoughts while shopping at a Major League Baseball store in Manhattan.
“Maybe just give the kid a warning, like, ‘Hey, don’t throw your bat,'” suggested Baker, who works in sports information for college athletics in Michigan.
“He shouldn’t get benched just because he was excited about hitting a home run,” he added.
Baker referred to the incident involving 12-year-old Rocco Marcorocco from Haddonfield Little League, who was not allowed to play in the championship game after his bat throw during a game on Thursday.
While playing against Harrison Little League, Rocco was removed from the field by the referee due to what was deemed “unsportsmanlike conduct.”
Mark Pulver, a Little League coach visiting from California, felt that the league’s decision was justified.
“As a parent who has coached for 13 years, I believe we should uphold the rules, no matter the situation,” he said.
Yet, he acknowledged the thrill of hitting home runs, especially in playoff games, noting that they bring a unique excitement.
Ultimately, he expressed that the boy should face consequences to keep the game safe for everyone.
“It’s unfortunate, but I don’t think the suspension should be lifted,” he remarked.
Conversely, some baseball fans have criticized the league’s actions, calling for leniency.
“Can you imagine how he feels? This is probably the best moment of his young life!” said Rafael Pabon, 46, martial artist from West New York, New Jersey, also shopping at the MLB store.
“Who knows, he could one day be playing for the Mets or Yankees. He’s just a kid, after all.”
In response to the suspension, Rocco’s father, Joe Rocco, filed an urgent request for a temporary restraining order with the Gloucester County Chance Division on Tuesday, aiming to reverse the decision.
The judge decided to postpone the ruling until 1:30 PM Thursday, just hours before the championship was set to start.
