NJ Little Leaguer Suspended Over Bat Flip Will Be Allowed To Play In State Tournament

PATCH UPDATE: The Haddonfield Little Leaguer who was suspended for flipping his bat after hitting a game-winning home run will be allowed to play Thursday night in the state tournament game, Action News reports. Judge Robert Malestein made the ruing before the scheduled game, the outlet reported.

Little League International released the following statement on the ruling.

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.

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.

Trusted by parents and communities around the world, Little League holds the integrity of the game, respect for game officials, and sportsmanship of teams as core tenants of our program. We expect all players, coaches, volunteers, and staff to uphold these values at all times.

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A 12-year-old Little Leaguer is "distraught" at the prospect of missing his team's first state tournament game because he was suspended for flipping his bat after hitting a game-winning home run — a type of celebration Little League Baseball promotes on its social media accounts.

Marco Rocco of Haddonfield, New Jersey tossed his bat in the air on July 16 after his sixth-inning, two-run homer in the final of the sectional tournament, his father, Joe Rocco told The Associated Press on Wednesday.

At first, he was called out, but on appeal the runs counted, Marco was ejected and suspended for a game over what the family was told were actions deemed "unsportsmanlike" and "horseplay."

Now, his family has gone to court to seek an emergency temporary restraining order that will allow him to play in the New Jersey state tournament that starts on Thursday.

"All we're asking for is that the suspension be lifted so he can play in the game," Joe Rocco said.

The sides are scheduled to make their arguments before a judge in Gloucester County Chancery Division on Thursday afternoon, just hours before the game. The winner of the state tournament advances to the regionals, where they have a chance to move on to the Little League World Series.

What makes the ejection and suspension so confounding is that Little League Baseball posts videos of bat-flip celebrations on social media that do not result in punishment.

In fact, Marco has tossed his bat in celebration in prior tournament games without warnings or punishment, according to the court complaint.

Joe Rocco called that hypocritical.

"They promote bat flips. The kids see major leaguers doing it. It's part of the game. He was just emulating what he saw," he said.

The incident left his son "distraught."

"He was so confused," the father said. "He didn't understand what was going on. On the car ride home he was saying 'How can that be against the rules? If I knew I was breaking the rules I never would have done it.'"

A message seeking comment was left with Little League's East Region headquarters after business hours on Wednesday night.

By Mark Pratt, Associated Press sports writer