Former MLBer Jose Offerman charged with two counts of second degree as

[Youth N Asia 0]

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

 

 

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. -- Former major league All-Star Jose Offerman was charged with two counts of second-degree assault after hitting the pitcher and catcher with his bat during an independent minor league game.

 

Offerman posted $10,000 bond and is due in Bridgeport Superior Court on Aug. 23, court officials said Wednesday.

 

Offerman, playing for the Long Island Ducks in the Atlantic League, homered in the first inning. The next inning, he was hit by a pitch from Bridgeport's Matt Beech and charged the mound with his bat.

 

"I called [Atlantic League executive director] Joe Klein immediately after the incident and told him what had occurred on the field," Bluefish CEO Mary-Jane Foster told the Connecticut Post. "And I have asked that the Atlantic League suspend Jose Offerman from the league for life."

 

On Wednesday, the league suspended Offerman indefinitely.

 

According to the Post, Beech was hit on the hands as he attempted to defend himself, while catcher John Nathans was hit in the back of the head on Offerman's backswing. Police said Beech, a left-hander, sustained a broken right middle finger, and Nathans later suffered from nausea, the newspaper reported. Bridgeport manager Tommy John told ESPN2's "First Take" that Nathans suffered a concussion.

 

Both players were treated at a hospital and released.

 

Jose Offerman

 

AP Photo/Connecticut Post, Christian Abraham

 

Bridgeport Bluefish catcher John Nathans, right, tried to stop Jose Offerman from hitting Bluefish pitcher Matt Beech with a bat on Tuesday night. Beech broke a finger and Nathans was hit in the head in the attack.

"[beech] hit him with a cut fastball in the left calf," John said, according to the Post. "And the next thing you know, Offerman's going to the mound with his bat over his head taking swings at Beech. He took at least two, maybe even three [swings]."

 

"It was just a scary incident for everybody witnessing what took place," Bluefish pitcher Mike Porzio said, according to the Post. "Everybody was in shock at the time because it's not something you see. I've played 15 years and I've never seen that before.

 

"Everyone was fearful for Matt Beech because apparently something set Offerman off, because he's played a long time and nobody could believe what they were seeing. Unfortunately, though, he got out to the mound before we could," Porzio said, according to the newspaper. "Luckily for Matt Beech, he was agile enough to dodge a bat. But it may have only been John Nathans taking one on the backswing in the head to have saved Matt Beech from really taking one in the face."

 

Nathans left the game at the end of the inning, the Post reported.

 

"He attempted to keep on going, but he came in the dugout and fell over," Porzio said, according to the Post. "Clearly, it was more than just a bang on the head."

 

The game was delayed for about 20 minutes because of the melee. Offerman, Beech and John were all ejected.

 

The newspaper reported that police converged on the Ducks' clubhouse to arrest Offerman once order was restored on the field. Offerman played for the Bluefish in 2003.

 

Ducks owner Frank Boulton, who also is the league's chief executive, said his team would abide by whatever punishment Klein, the league's executive director, deems appropriate.

 

"I can say that Jose's conduct in bringing the bat to the mound after being hit was wrong, there is no question about that," he said. "We're all saddened by this because Jose has had a 15-year major league career and is a true gentleman."

 

Offerman batted .273 during his 15 seasons in the majors. He last played in the majors in 2005 with Philadelphia and the New York Mets. He was an All-Star in 1995 with the Dodgers and 1999 with Boston.

 

Boulton said it was important to consider that the incident started with Offerman being hit by a pitch.

 

"The pitcher was ejected because the umpire felt he threw at the batter," he said. "We all know that stuff happens."

 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

[LaParkaMarka 0]

I guess Beech won't throw at a batter ever again.

 

So what does everyone think of the whole "hitting a batter" aspect of baseball? I always thought it was kind of pathetic. In this specific case, it seems like Beech went after him because Offerman hit a HR earlier. Reminds me of how the Blue Jays were throwing at A-Rod a few weeks back. Yelling "mine" or slapping a glove is stupid, but throwing a pitch at the guy for revenge is just as bad if not worse.

[Fartsauce 0]

I guess Beech won't throw at a batter ever again.

 

So what does everyone think of the whole "hitting a batter" aspect of baseball? I always thought it was kind of pathetic. In this specific case, it seems like Beech went after him because Offerman hit a HR earlier. Reminds me of how the Blue Jays were throwing at A-Rod a few weeks back. Yelling "mine" or slapping a glove is stupid, but throwing a pitch at the guy for revenge is just as bad if not worse.

 

I've always agreed with part of this although I don't see a problem with plunking a guy on the leg or in the ass just to send a message. It's when you deliberately try to peg the batter off in the head or hands (Clemens being a good example) which could cause the injury. I didn't really read the Offerman article so I don't know where he was drilled. Regardless, attacking someone with a bat is wrong and he deserved what he got.

[razazteca 0]

I'm surprised this hasn't happened in the MLB more often.

[Guest Soriano's Torn Quad]

Well, there was Juan Marichal doing some nice work with the bat. That's the last one I recall.

 

As for hitting batters for "revenge," I hate it. It's caveman baseball.

 

I don't see a problem with plunking a guy on the leg or in the ass just to send a message

I do, because you're putting a man on and risking ejection of yourself and your manager just because you're petty and vindictive. Pissed at someone? Strike him out.

[Precious Roy 0]

I'm surprised this hasn't happened in the MLB more often.

 

The difference is that in MLB guys have big money and careers to worry about

 

Jose Offerman was probably thinking, "I'm almost 40 years old and playing in some semi-pro league and some fucking SCRUB is going to throw at me and try and take away my last chance at getting back to the dance?! FUCK THAT!"

 

Honestly, can you blame the guy? What does he have to lose in that situation? He knew the guy nailed him on purpose, why shouldn't he go after him?

 

Really, I think the pitcher is more at fault for being stupid enough to throw at a veteran like Offerman in a fucking meaningless game.