Quote:

 

PAWTUCKET, R.I. -- Durham Bulls outfielder Delmon Young threw a bat into the chest of the home plate umpire after being called out on strikes in the first inning of Wednesday night's game at Pawtucket.

Young took a third strike on a 1-and-2 pitch. When Young delayed leaving the batter's box, the umpire ejected him. Young then flipped his bat underhand. It sailed end over end and hit the umpire in the chest.

Pawtucket catcher Corky Miller said he didn't hear Young say anything to the umpire. "I heard the umpire say, 'You better get going,'" Miller said.

"It was hard to say what was going through his mind. Guys have emotions. But you try to learn how to control them. I'm sure as the bat left his hands he knew it was a bad decision," Miller said.

Young left during the game and wasn't available for comment afterward.

Replacement umpires have been working all minor league games this season because the regular umpires are on strike. Bill Wanless, a spokesman for the Pawtucket Red Sox, said minor league teams are not releasing the names of umpires while the regulars are on strike.

"It's an unfortunate incident and there should be no place for actions like that in the game of baseball," the umpire said in a statement released by Pawtucket. "Any official should not be treated like that. He embarrassed himself and his teammates."

Young, 20, is the younger brother of Detroit Tigers outfielder Dmitri Young. He was voted the Tampa Bay Devil Rays' minor league Player of the Year last season and the 2005 minor league Player of the Year by Baseball America.

The Devils Rays selected Young with the first overall pick in the 2003 amateur draft.

"It was unfortunate and until I speak with the organization and see what they have in mind, maybe I can comment on it later," Durham manager John Tamargo said. "It's a tough situation right now.

"I haven't spoken with (Young) and haven't gotten his side of it. We've had some problems with different umpires and it's tough. But I can't say any more."

According to International League policy, the umpire will file a report with president Randy Mobley on Thursday. Mobley will read it, interview parties involved in the incident and decide what penalty should be assessed.

AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service

Copyright 2005-2006, The Associated Press, All Rights Reserved

Quote:

 

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Top Tampa Bay prospect Delmon Young was suspended indefinitely by the International League on Thursday, a day after throwing a bat that hit a replacement umpire in the chest.

"The Devil Rays organization supports the decision," said Andrew Friedman, Tampa Bay's team's executive vice president of baseball operations.

The 20-year-old Young, brother of Detroit star Dmitri Young and considered one of the best players in the minors, was ejected in the first inning following a called third strike in the Durham Bulls' Triple-A game at Pawtucket, R.I.

When Young took his time leaving the batter's box, the umpire tossed him. Young then flipped his bat underhand and it sailed end over end, striking the umpire. The umpire, whose name was not released, did not appear injured and remained in the game.

"I sincerely regret my actions in the game yesterday," Young said in a statement released by the office of his agent, Arn Tellem. "Regrettably, in the heat of the competition my emotions got the better of me.
 
"My behavior was completely unacceptable. I want everyone to know that I recognize that it is never right to throw a bat and I certainly never intended for the bat to make contact with the umpire. Nevertheless, I owe an apology to my team, the fans and most importantly to the umpire, for the incident. I am sorry."

Regular minor league umpires are on strike this season. Fill-ins umps -- most of them with college or high school experience -- have been working in their place. Minor league teams are not releasing the names of the replacements.

"It's an unfortunate incident and there should be no place for actions like that in the game of baseball," the umpire said in a statement released by Pawtucket. "Any official should not be treated like that. He embarrassed himself and his teammates."

After the game, Durham manager John Tamargo said he hadn't spoke to Young and hadn't "gotten his side of it."

"We've had some problems with different umpires and it's tough. But I can't say any more," he said.

Young left during the game and wasn't available for comment. The outfielder was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2003 amateur draft and picked as the 2005 minor league player of the year by Baseball America.

"We do not tolerate this type of conduct from anyone in the Devil Rays organization," Friedman said. "We will meet with Delmon and his representatives as soon as possible to further address this unfortunate situation. It cannot and will not be repeated."

Pawtucket catcher Corky Miller said he didn't hear Young say anything to the umpire. "I heard the umpire say, `You better get going,"' Miller said.

"It was hard to say what was going through his mind. Guys have emotions," Miller added. "But you try to learn how to control them. I'm sure as the bat left his hands he knew it was a bad decision."

Devil Rays utilityman Greg Norton, who was at the game, talked about what happened after he was brought up Thursday and arrived at Yankee Stadium.

"It wasn't violent, and I don't feel it was meant to hit him," he said.

In Double-A ball last year, Young was suspended for three games by the Southern League for bumping the chest of plate umpire Jeff Latter.

AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service

Copyright 2005-2006, The Associated Press, All Rights Reserved