It seems even rivals are coming together for this young player. Parents from different Little League teams in New Jersey are backing a boy who flipped his bat, expressing confusion over rules surrounding what’s termed “horse play.” They suggest many players are unaware such rules even exist.
Chris Heenan, whose son plays for the Harrison Township team, remarked, “The refs aren’t doing a great job. There’s really no certainty during the game.” He’s not alone in his thoughts, as support grows among parents.
Rocco, a 12-year-old, celebrated a home run on Thursday by tossing his bat into the air, but this enthusiastic gesture led to him being ejected from the game. The score was already 8-0 when the incident occurred, prompting referees to take action.
This act not only resulted in his removal but also imposed a one-game suspension, disqualifying him from competing in the state tournament finals. In response, Rocco’s father, Joe, took legal steps on Tuesday to contest the suspension.
Interestingly, Heenan, whose son is on the opposing team, criticized the officiating as excessive. He mentioned that the expectation not to flip a bat isn’t common knowledge among young players.
He stated that the “no-horse play” rule cited by the referees was quite ambiguous, making it hard for players to grasp what is prohibited. “Anything could be considered ‘horseplay,'” he pointed out, questioning the clarity of the league’s guidelines.
Joe Rocco claimed that the league sends mixed signals by sharing videos online that flaunt bat-flipping celebrations, which Heenan also noted, calling for consistency in the league’s messaging.
While acknowledging the potential safety risks of throwing a bat, Heenan insisted the league should clarify its stance. “If they’re promoting that on social media, kids will see it and think it’s okay,” he remarked, expressing frustration about the situation.
Rocco, facing the clock, filed for an emergency temporary restraining order in court, hoping to lift his son’s suspension before the finals. He anticipates a decision on Wednesday afternoon, hoping for a chance to compete.
Little League International has yet to respond to inquiries regarding this matter.
