Junior college baseball game erupts in chaos after pitcher SLAMS batter to the ground after giving up home run: Student suspended three games AND faces expulsion for attacking hitter ‘who taunted him as he rounded bases’
- A Texas junior college baseball conference has suspended a pitcher for four games after he tackled an opposing batter after a home run
- Video posted online showed North Central Texas College’s Josh Phillips rounding third after hitting a home run off Weatherford pitcher Owen Woodward
- Seemingly unprovoked, Woodward then sprinted over and tackled Phillips
- Phillips was also suspended two games for allegedly taunting Woodward
- Both teams were ordered to forfeit the game that was stopped after the brawl
- Weatherford school officials said the incident would be investigated and Woodward could possibly be expelled. Police are also investigating Woodward
- A campus police spokesperson did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com’s request for further information. It is not yet known if Woodward faces charges
- Weatherford coach Jeff Lightfoot said after the game he was ’embarrassed’
A Texas junior college baseball conference has suspended a pitcher for four games after he tackled an opposing batter after a home run, and the batter also was suspended for two games because he was ejected for taunting.
The North Texas Junior College Athletic Conference announced Thursday it suspended both players and many more from both teams due to the resulting brawl.
Online video of the play showed North Central Texas College’s Josh Phillips rounding third after his sixth-inning home run, only to have Weatherford College pitcher Owen Woodward charge off the mound and level him with a violent blow to the midsection. Several players then charged on to the field.
Weatherford officials have said Woodward could face expulsion from school as the play caught widespread online attention.
North Central Texas College player Josh Phillips (right) was tackled by Weatherford pitcher Owen Woodward (left) after homering in the sixth inning during Wednesday’s game
Video posted online showed North Central Texas College player Josh Phillips rounding third in the sixth inning. Weatherford pitcher Owen Woodward then sprints over and collides with him, sending both players crashing to the ground
But the league office handed out most of its punishment for the North Central Texas program because of the players who ran onto the field after the hit.
The league suspended for two games ‘all team members for NCTC that were in the dugout or bullpen’ and any assistant coaches who stepped onto the field. It also suspended four additional Weatherford players and assistant coaches for two games.
If that leaves North Central Texas without enough players for its next two games against Weatherford, it will have to forfeit, the league said. Both teams were ordered to forfeit the game that was stopped.
The teams are scheduled to play each other this weekend.
‘We are shocked and disappointed at what happened in our game today,’ Weatherford coach Jeff Lightfoot said after the game. ‘We do not condone this type of behavior. We have worked hard to build a program with the highest of standards. We are completely embarrassed by this incident, and we apologize to North Central Texas College and the fans of WC baseball. This type of behavior cannot be tolerated.’
(Left) Josh Phillips is pictured heading to third after homering as pitcher Owen Woodward steps off the mound. (Right) Woodward tackles Phillips, nearly sparking a brawl
The two players were separated, but umpires decided to suspend the game in the sixth inning
Weatherford College released its own statement after the incident.
‘In a baseball game Wednesday, April 20, at Weatherford College, a WC pitcher charged a North Central Texas College baserunner,’ the statement began. ‘After the incident, the umpires suspended the game until further notice.
‘Weatherford College is investigating the incident. The WC student in question will face potential disciplinary action from the Office of Student Services up to and possibly including expulsion. The Weatherford College Police Department is also investigating the incident and has taken statements.’
A campus police spokesperson did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com’s request for further information.
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