Texas junior college pitcher is no longer with the team after dealing with an opponent

A junior college pitcher leveling a hitter in a home sprint at a baseball game in Texas on Wednesday was suspended for four games following the incident, but “no longer with the team,” school officials said.

The incident, which was captured on video, showed the home team Weatherford College and North Central Texas College’ game halted early in the sixth inning.

The North Central Texas pitcher had just touched the third sole when pitcher Weatherford lunged towards him and smashed him to the ground, sending his helmet flying, video broadcast by TSRN Sports showed.

In a statement Thursday, Weatherford said the North Texas Junior College Athletic Conference issued a four-game ban to the pitcher following the incident. However, baseball coach Weatherford and assistant athletic director Jeff Lightfoot have confirmed that the player, who cannot be named directly, is no longer with the team.

It added that Weatherford University’s Office of Student Services had also introduced additional disciplinary action against students, but said it would not release those details, citing university policy and Federal regulations protect student privacy.

Weatherford said the North Central Texas hitter has also received a two-game ban for taunting. Meanwhile, several North Central Texas players were also given a two-game ban for running off the field after the incident, violating “the rule that prohibits players and coaches from leaving their positions or their positions while fighting,” the school said.

Before the incident, the batter’s long shot gave the visitors a 3-2 lead in Wednesday’s game, the first in a series of four games between the two schools. Weatherford said the first game will take a double after the incident.

“Games two and three will be considered NCTC canceled due to the school not having enough current certified players to join a team,” it said. Meanwhile, game 4 is scheduled to be played at North Central Texas on Saturday.

In one previous statementLightfoot has said that school officials are “shocked and disappointed at what happened in our game.”

“We do not tolerate this type of behavior. We have worked hard to build a program with the highest standards,” he said. “We are completely embarrassed by this incident, and we apologize to North Central Texas College and the WC baseball fans. This kind of behavior is intolerable.”

North Central Texas Premier Brent Wallace said he hopes “the unfortunate events that occurred at Weatherford College will be used as a teaching moment for our student athletes to help ensure the this incident does not happen in the future.”

David K. Li contribute.

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