NEWYou now have the option to listen to news articles!
A team from New Jersey’s Little League is facing setbacks in their journey to Williamsport after one of their players was suspended for a state tournament game for a bat flip.
12-year-old Marco Rocco, playing for Haddonfield Little League, hit a two-run home run last week against Harrison Township Little League and celebrated by flipping his bat.
The home run widened the score to 8-0 in the sixth inning, which ended up being the final score. With this win, Haddonfield secured the Section 4 title and advanced to the state championship.
Marco Rocco, a 12-year-old player, has been suspended for a Little League tournament game due to a bat flip. (Joe Rocco)
However, Rocco was ejected as he crossed home plate due to a “safety concern,” according to his father, Joe Rocco.
Joe Rocco explained, “They sent us a letter stating that there’s a rule against horseplay in Little League, and they consider bat flipping as horseplay. Little League International actively promotes bat flipping on social media, websites, and TV broadcasts for the Little League World Series. It’s openly encouraged and promoted. My son saw that and was imitating what he saw.”
Despite efforts to allow Rocco to play through a temporary restraining order filed in the Gloucester County Chancery Division, Little League International remains firm in their decision, as per Joe Rocco.
The catcher from Harrison Little League was displeased with the celebration. (Joe Rocco)
“He has been playing Little League his entire life, and his dream is to reach the World Series in Williamsport,” Joe Rocco added. “We are in the state finals and just a few steps away. We were on our way there, and now they are telling him he can’t play.”
Haddonfield and Harrison Township had previous matches on July 13 and 15, with one win each, making Wednesday’s game a decider.
Haddonfield will start the state tournament against Elmora on Thursday in Deptford. The New Jersey tournament follows a four-team, double-elimination format.
Umpires met and ejected Rocco, leading to his suspension. (Joe Rocco)
Ridgewood and Jackson-Holbrook Little Leagues are the other teams advancing to the state final after defeating Williamsport and Nottingham Little Leagues in their respective sections.
The winner of the bracket will move on to Bristol, Connecticut, for a chance to represent the Metro region at the Little League World Series.
Follow the latest news from Fox News Digital’s sports coverage, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
