A young baseball player from New Jersey was suspended from participating in the final game of the state tournament after he joyfully flipped his bat into the air following a home run in his previous game.
Marco Rocco, a 12-year-old player for Haddon Field Little League, is in the midst of competing for a spot in the New Jersey Little League State Tournament Finals, as reported by NJ.com.
The incident occurred when Rocco celebrated a home run against Harrison Little League last Thursday, sending his bat soaring into the air just as the ball sailed over the fence.
The referee ejected him from the game and issued a one-game suspension, citing “safety concerns,” according to Rocco’s father, Joe. Little League International later informed the family that young players had violated the organization’s rules.
“He’s been playing Little League for as long as he can remember, and his dream has always been to make it to the World Series in Williamsport,” Joe Rocco stated. “We’ve worked hard to get to the state finals, and now they say he can’t participate.”
Joe Rocco wrote a letter to Little League expressing his concerns. He believes that the organization is sending mixed messages by allowing bat flips to be celebrated on social media and in broadcasts.
“Little League International publicly promotes bat flips through its social media, websites, and TV broadcasts of the Little League World Series. It’s encouraged, and my son is just emulating what he sees,” he remarked.
The family attempted to resolve the situation peacefully, but Little League International reportedly expressed no desire to find a compromise.
This Thursday evening, the remaining teams in the 12U division will compete in a double-elimination format in Deptford, New Jersey, with the winner advancing to the Metro Regional Tournament.
Haddonfield remains among the four teams still in contention, along with Holbrook, Elmora, and Ridgewood.
