Coach ordered "beaning" of Autisic boy

[zipzam]

*thread title didn't fit*

Coach gets 1-6 yrs for ordering "beaning" of Autistic boy


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.

Mr. Downs didn't say anything during this afternoon's sentencing hearing. But as he was led away, he replied "Yes" when asked if he thought the sentence was too harsh.

Judge Warman could have sentenced him to up to 12 years.

Mr. Downs' bond was revoked and he was taken to jail to await transfer to a state prison.

Mr. Downs' family, including his wife, a 6-week-old baby and three other children were in the courtroom for part of the hearing. But the three older children were hurried out before the actual sentencing.

Jennifer Bowers, mother of the injured player, said the sentencing ends a chapter in the story. "Hopefully we can close the book on this," she said, but added her son still doesn't understand what happened.

[zipzam]

is winning in little league THAT important? wow... what a douchebag.
"don't let the tard play... he may cost us a win". pffffffffft.
he's lucky i wasn't the judge... i'd likely have given him the max.

better yet.. let the parents throw baseballs at him for a while. JERK!

[Pontotocmom]

I don't understand any adult, who puts winning over the welfare of a child. I don't understand coaches at all. That all-might win goes above everything.

[King Rat]

My daughter played T-ball a couple of years ago and their coach let all the parents know up front that his goal was for all the kids to play and all the kids to have fun. He fulfulled that promise. We didn't win many games but the kids loved it.

I recall one day we played a team and I was filling in as coach (which was laughable in and of itself). The coach of the other team was yelling and screaming at his players and they looked like they were all scared to death the entire game. They beat us badly but our kids still enjoyed it just as much as if they had won. The kids on the other team didn't look like they enjoyed it at all.

No way would I stand by and allow a coach to scream at my 8 year old like that.

[rutrow]

pontotoc said:

I don't understand any adult, who puts winning over the welfare of a child. I don't understand coaches at all. That all-might win goes above everything.

I was told by a coach that they were pushing the kids to get "that good number rating." I say if that is all they are teaching them.