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

[gate2wire]

I agree. It can be enjoyable.

[OKIEDOC]

Dinsdale wrote:
Both are risks you accept when you play ball. If he was too frail (physically or emotionally) to play t-ball he should have stayed home.


comment:

Some how that last sentence seems more appropriate in a DU post.

Compassionate Conservatives care about all people.

If all the frail little kids stayed home then this world would be without some of the greatest sporting legends, generals and presidents in history.

[MikefromOhio]

More like reality is never in play on an internet forum.

Being a FReeper has taught me that.

[MikefromOhio]

LOL

more like embarrassing when threads like this come along.

[gate2wire]

Yes, you should be embarrassed.

[1rudeboy]

Some jerk is a abusive and now you want to send him to prison for longer than what murders get and you've condoned the entire state of Pennsylvania?

Sorry, but the "other judges are more lenient" defense doesn't carry much weight with me. As a matter of fact, it sounds rather childish.

[OKIEDOC]

Good post.

I agree that the sentence was a might stiff for a first time offense.

However, as a former coach of junior boys club football I can tell you that some fathers and coaches will go to extreme lengths for a $6.00 dollar piece of fake metal saying your number one.

Seems like I meet some of these guys and gals on the way to work just about every morning having a good case of road rage.

[Vision]

Please keep stroking yourself.

[Vision]

Sorry, but the "other judges are more lenient" defense doesn't carry much weight with me. As a matter of fact, it sounds rather childish.

So comparing a tball coach who demands his players beam a handicapped kid doesn't compare to first degree murder in Baltimore.

hehehe

[1rudeboy]

Here's a lesson for all you youngsters out there. If you commit a crime that shocks the public conscience, expect a judge to make an example of you. You can always appeal.

[Vision]

I don't care if a tball coach asks a player to hit a handicapped kid with a pitch. The coach doesn't deserve six years in prison you liberal. BTW, you are not the public.

[Figment]

"You figure it out. I was not replying to you with that picture.."


I did figure it out. You were comparing Robin Ventura leaning over the plate against Nolan Ryan to an autistic child being hit on purpose by his own coach.

[1rudeboy]

Let's see you make the argument that the judge exceeded his authority under the law. Make my day.

[gate2wire]

Nope. Keep trying.

[Vision]

No, that's not what I did.

[1rudeboy]

Then STFU.

[Vision]

It's really bad taste to insult when you lose an argument.

[1rudeboy]

Here's a quick lesson on an FR feature with which you are unaware. Click on my moniker, select "In Forum," and review your comments to me. Note who started with the insults. Then, STFU.

[Vision]

Good luck to you.

[1rudeboy]

Likewise. If you cannot see the difference between me calling your argument "childish," and you calling me a "liberal," then I wish you well with your ESL studies.