T-ball coach gets 1-6 years for ordering beaning

Post Gazette ^ | Oct 12, 2006 | Moustafa Ayad

[FFIGHTER]

UNIONTOWN, Pa. -- A youth league baseball coach convicted of getting one of his players to injure a teammate was sentenced to one to six years in prison today.

Fayette County Judge Ralph Warman said the actions by Mark Downs Jr., of Dunbar, in June 2005 were "outrageous" and "extremely reprehensible" because he was coaching a league of children 7 to 9 years old.

Testimony indicated Mr. Downs promised $25 to one of his best players if he hurled a ball at Harry Bowers Jr., 11, an autistic and mildly retarded teammate, presumably to keep him from playing in a game.

A jury convicted Mr. Downs last month of corruption of minors and conspiracy to commit simple assault.

Judge Warman sentenced him to six months to three years on each count

[Astronaut]

The guy's an idiot but the sentence is too harsh. The judge needs some perspective.

[Zeppelin]

Testimony indicated Mr. Downs promised $25 to one of his best players if he hurled a ball at Harry Bowers Jr., 11, an autistic and mildly retarded teammate, presumably to keep him from playing in a game.

If true, that "coach" is sick...good ruling, hope he gets the full 6...

[Disturbin]

Still haven't figured out how someone is pitching in T-BALL .....

[michigander]

Testimony indicated Mr. Downs promised $25 to one of his best players if he hurled a ball at Harry Bowers Jr., 11, an autistic and mildly retarded teammate, presumably to keep him from playing in a game.

Good.
What kind of jackass does one have to be to even consider doing something like that?

[MikefromOhio]

Jim Rome ping
FReepmail me to get on or off this Jim Rome pinglist....

"Have a take, don't suck or you'll get run......."


Good. Bury this prick under the jail for all I care.

[Jaysun]

What a POS

[cripplecreek]

I've been struggling with that one myself.

[OKSooner]

OMG. I hope all the dudes in the cellblock know the particulars.

[RadioAstronomer]

I feel bad for his family. Not sure how they will do after all the dust settles.

[Valpal1]

Doesn't say it was pitching. Could have been during the pre-game warm up ball tossing and dropping practice.

Kind of weird that an 11 year old is still in T-ball. Locally T-ball is restricted to children under 8. 8 year olds are then separated into seperate boy and girl leagues.

[gate2wire]

Sentence is ridiculous.
How bad can someone get hurt getting hit by a pitch from a nine year old?
Keep this in perspective. A 300 lb. pro football player steps on the bare head of a prone player and gets suspended five games. You people want this guy to go to prison.
Give me a break.

[photodawg]

The guy's an idiot but the sentence is too harsh. The judge needs some perspective.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

The kid was on his own team. He could have been seriously injured. The sentence was correct. If he rehabilitates he'll be out in no time. Unless he gets hurt in prison (smile).

[MikefromOhio]

You bet I want this ass to go to jail.

I think the other guy should be charged too, but the player in question, Gurode, didn't want to press charges.

[WestVirginiaRebel]

Sounds like the coach is far more mentally deficient than the poor kid he wanted to keep out of the game.

I hope he becomes somebody's "Bat boy" for the next few years.

[soccermom]

What a jerk. I hope they make an example of him.

[gate2wire]

Insane.

[1rudeboy]

The judge needs some perspective.

I don't know about that . . . he seems to have the notion that mildly-retarded, autistic children deserve a certain level of protection down pat.

[Radix]

I have had arguments with my friends about this stuff.

Any MLB player should be expelled from a game for intentionally throwing at a player. Even an accidental hit should draw a penalty. It is a horrible practice. Potentialy Ruining careers to show a bit of macho is sick. Kids pay attention to what the big leaguers do.

Teaching kids to play bean ball is an abomination.

Throw the book at this guy!

[sport]

The sorry sob should have gotten 20 years.