Haddonfield Little Leaguer's Bat Flip Made Into Pin For Little League World Series

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, PA — A Haddonfield Little Leaguer's bat flip that made national news has been immortalized through a pin that will be available at the Little League World Series.

Last month, Haddonfield's Marco Rocco was suspended for flipping his bat to celebrate a walk-off home run in the sectional tournament. The suspension was overturned in court, allowing Marco to play in the state tournament.

The lawsuit brought by Marco's father, Joseph Rocco, cited Little League Baseball sharing videos of bat-flip celebrations that didn't result in suspensions.

Two examples involved former Major Leaguer Todd Frazier — a Little League announcer who flipped his bat while playing for the Toms River team that won the 1998 Little League World Series.

Frazier also expressed excitement as an announcer during a 2022 Little League World Series game when Nicaragua's Luis Garcia belted a home run and flipped his bat.

Little League Baseball promoted the home run, which included Frazier's call, on social media.

The idea for a collectible pin showing Marco's bat flip came from Jeff Frazier — Todd's brother and Joseph Rocco's friend.

Jeff Frazier, a former ballplayer, was also part of Toms River's Little League World Series-winning team. He attends the tournament every year and takes part in pin trading.

The tradition goes back to the 1970s, when it was common for young athletes to receive pins as they advanced through tournaments to get to the Little League World Series. To this day, pin trading allows athletes and fans from throughout the world to bond and exchange gifts.

Haddonfield's team didn't make the Little League World Series — they were eliminated in the state tournament hours after a judge overturned the suspension. But the bat-flip pin will be available during the competition.

"The Fraziers asked me permission to release the pin and I agreed," Joseph Rocco told Patch, "so we are releasing it jointly with them, my family and their family."

Here's the pin design:

Only 75 will be available, making them a rarity. The number represents the 75th anniversary of Haddonfield Little League, which Marco was part of.

The pins will be free and will be traded at the upcoming Little League World Series. They are not for sale and cannot be purchased anywhere, Joseph Rocco said.

The 2025 Little League World Series begins Wednesday in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania.