Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, May 27, 1995 TAG: 9505300031
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MARK BULLOCK STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Manager Bill Hayes said his Carolina League team has had 20 players fined and suspended for a brief shoving match with the Lynchburg Hillcats on Monday night at Municipal Field. Each player received a $100 fine and a two-game suspension without pay.
Hayes said beginning with Friday night's game at Prince William, the Avalanche would play two players short until all the suspensions had been served.
``I didn't think this would happen, but it did,'' Hayes said.
Salem catcher Randy Snyder and Lynchburg relief pitcher Cullen Hartzog started the incident after Snyder tried to score from third base on a wild pitch and attempted unsuccessfully to dislodge the ball from the glove of Hartzog, who was covering the plate.
Hartzog took exception to Snyder's tactics and shoved him. When Snyder shoved back, both benches emptied. No punches were thrown and order was quickly restored. Snyder and Hartzog were ejected from the game.
To most observers, the incident never was threatening and never appeared to be in danger of escalating, unlike a brawl that erupted in a game the same night between Winston-Salem and Durham in which several players were injured.
However, league rules state that any player leaving his position to participate in a fight is automatically fined $100 and suspended for two games.
``If the umpires ruled it a fight, then everyone who left their position must be fined,'' Salem general manager Sam Lazzaro said. ``It is based on the judgment of the umpires and there is no gray area. Certainly we're in favor of curbing violence on the field.''
The suspensions could be crucial for the Avalanche, which is four games behind first-place Kinston in the Southern Division. After a weekend series against Northern Division leader Prince William, Salem travels to Kinston for three games with the Indians beginning Monday.
Carolina League president John Hopkins did not return a phone message seeking comment.
by CNB