A 12-year-old Little League player who was suspended from the New Jersey state final after a bat-flip celebration has been cleared to play.
Judge Robert G. Malestein ruled in favor of Marco Rocco, who tossed his bat after hitting a two-run homer at the top of the sixth inning in a July 16 game, according to NJ.com.
Rocco was ejected and received a one-game suspension that would have kept him out of the championship round on Thursday night between his Haddonfield team and Elmora, prompting his family to take legal action. The winner of the state title game advances to regionals, where they could move on to the Little League World Series.
“I think that the easy answer for the court is that there is immediate and reparable harm that would befall this youth. He can’t get this game back,” Malestein said.
The decision came hours before the game’s first pitch, following an emergency temporary restraining order filed by Rocco’s father, Joe, in the Gloucester County Chancery Division to try to reverse the suspension.
“Little League International respects, and will uphold, the Gloucester County Superior Court of New Jersey Chancery Division judge’s decision to allow a Haddonfield (N.J.) Little League player to participate in the Little League Baseball New Jersey State Tournament and beyond following an ejection caused by unsportsmanlike conduct last week,” a spokesperson for Little League International said in a statement obtained by The Athletic. “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.”
Little League has promoted videos of bat flips in the past. According to NJ.com, Brian Berkley, an attorney representing the Rocco family, pointed to those examples in the hearing.
According to The Associated Press, the family was told Marco’s actions on July 16 were “unsportsmanlike” and “horseplay.”
Appendix B of the Safety Code for Little League states, “At no time should ‘horse play’ be permitted on the playing field.”
Joe Rocco said his family tried to resolve the incident with Little League International, but when they were unable to find a compromise, the family responded with legal action.
“He’s played Little League his whole life, and his dream is to make it to the World Series in Williamsport,” the elder Rocco told NJ.com. “We’re in the state finals and are a couple of steps away. We’re on our way there, and now, they tell him he can’t play.”
Haddonfield lost 10-0 on Thursday night in the team’s first game of the double-elimination tournament. Rocco started the game on the bench but was later inserted at third base, the Associated Press reported. He batted in the bottom of the first inning but struck out.
Haddonfield plays its second game Friday night against Ridgewood.
(Photo: Mark J. Rebilas / Imagn Images)
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