Judge overturns New Jersey Little Leaguer’s bat flip suspension

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A young baseball player from New Jersey who was suspended from a state tournament game for flipping his bat had his punishment overturned on Thursday.

12-year-old Marco Rocco, a player for Haddonfield Little League, hit a two-run home run in a recent game against Harrison Township Little League and flipped his bat into the air.

The home run increased the lead to 8-0 in the sixth inning, which ended up being the final score. With this victory, Haddonfield secured the Section 4 title and advanced to the state championship bracket.

Marco Rocco, 12, was suspended from playing in a Little League tournament game for this bat flip. (Joe Rocco)

However, after crossing home plate, Rocco was ejected due to a “safety concern,” according to Rocco’s father, Joe.

Joe Rocco argued that Little League has been promoting bat flipping on their social media accounts, websites, and TV broadcasts.

A temporary restraining order was filed in hopes of allowing Rocco to play, and after a judge heard both sides on Thursday, the decision was made in Rocco’s favor.

Harrison Little League’s catcher was not pleased with the celebration. (Joe Rocco)

“If you’re gonna have rules and enforce them, they can’t be enforced arbitrarily and capriciously,” ruled Gloucester County Chancery Judge Robert Malestein on Thursday afternoon. “[I’m going to] allow him to play in tonight’s game.”

Haddonfield and Harrison Township faced each other on July 13 and 15, with each team winning one game, setting up a decisive match on July 16.

Haddonfield’s state tournament begins against Elmora, a team that participated in the Little League World Series in 2019, in Deptford. The state championship bracket follows a four-team, double-elimination format.

The game between Haddonfield and Elmora starts at 8:30 p.m. ET.