When players attack
 

Has Jose Offerman lost his mind? In a MiLB game he was HBP and charged the mound.... with the BAT! :eek: He is now charged with assault for hitting both the catcher and the pitcher with the bat. Arrested in the clubhouse and bail set and posted at $10,000.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2975386

From the article - "Offerman, Beech and (Tommy) John were all ejected."

What did Beech do, other than imitate in for a piñata???

http://www.newsday.com/sports/ny-spd...news-headlines

"Out of the majors since playing for the New York Mets in 2005, Offerman homered in the first inning Tuesday night for the Long Island Ducks. The next inning, he was hit by a pitch from Bridgeport Bluefish starter Matt Beech and charged the mound with his bat."

Not condoning what Offerman did, but intentionally throwing at a batter after the batter hits a home run should be grounds for assault charges as well. Maybe or maybe not if the pitch is in the thigh, backside, or ribs. But definitely if it is at the head.

Offerman was hit in the calf. There was no mention of 'intent' in the article cited in the OP. I didn't see the play but 'intent' seems to be a hard sell when the batter was hit in the calf. More likely an umpire playing CYA.

Well, let's see:

• • Hit in the calf with a cutter.
  • Let's hit the pitcher in the head with a bat.

Yup, sounds fair to me ----- NOT!

Offerman was a head case when he played for Boston years ago! I see that time hasn't changed him. In my opinion, Baseball should set him aside for life for pulling this stunt!

No Mercy for the Wicked!

I didn't say it was fair. But it is high time pitchers who intentionally throw at the head (didn't happen in this case, but it does happen) face charges as well.

with a Pticher you cant prove INTENT...hell' say it was a accident. a batter chargin w a bat is always INTENT however

If I'm a pitcher and I want to throw at somebody I'm aiming at the biggest piece of him I can find. For players not named Barry Bonds that's usually their butt.

As an umpire I may rule 'intent' if a pitch is up and in, depending on what preceded the incident. I have a hard time seeing intent when the batter was hit in the lower leg.

To start with, most times you see a ball heading for a batter's head is an accident. Balls slip, mechanics go crazy - in other words $hit happens, and the ball goes to the wrong place. You will rarely ever see a fast ball heading for a batter's head unless the pitcher is really wild (or wants to leave the game). Pitchers will throw to the body but usually off speed.

"A professional pitcher can put the ball where ever he wants. So if I am going to throw at your head, I'm going to make sure that it's my best pitch because it's such a small target! And my best pitch is straight as an arrow at over 98 MPH!" Nolan Ryan

Something to think about.

I think he has lost his mind according to his game

Hyperbole. Even Ryan walked 2795 batters.

Juan Marichal, reincarnated.

Bob

Inside dope on Offie
 

I happen to live in Bridgeport and am webmaster for the Bluefish (the defensive team in thisincident). I wasn't at the game, but have talked to quite a few who were there.

Offerman (an ex-Bluefish, BTW) lollgagged it trotting around the bases on his first-inning dinger. Catcher John Nathans said something to him on his next at bat. Then, Matt Beech hit him with in the calf on an 0-1 curve.

Here's the link to Offie's "denial." Then click on the photo to see a well-done slide show. No video crew was at the game.

Hmmm two ballplayers faking a broken finger and a concussion? Do I smell a rodent?

http://www.connpost.com//ci_6631730?...w.connpost.com

Ace, cub reporter

So Ryan wanted to place the ball in a position where the batter might swing, or a walk would occur, and he didn't care which.

Yep, every single time.:rolleyes: