Posted on 11/25/2005 5:31:17 PM PST by Coleus
A teenager suing a former assistant baseball coach who was convicted of assaulting him will be allowed to seek punitive damages, a judge has ruled.
Former Lakeland Babe Ruth Baseball League Assistant Coach Michael Pollari was convicted of a simple assault charge in municipal court in June 2001, one month after the boy said he was grabbed by his shirt and lifted off the ground.
Kevin Babcock, who was 13 years old at the time, will be allowed to seek punitive damages against Pollari along with compensatory damages if and when the case goes to trial, Superior Court Judge W. Hunt Dumont ruled.
Pollari apologized to the boy and his mother, and quit his volunteer position the night of the incident. He later was sentenced to serve five days on the county sheriff's labor assistance program and a $1,000 fine.
His lawyer told the judge that the former coach is very sorry for his conduct.
``He screwed up. It was as much of a surprise to him as it was to Kevin and to Kevin's mother,'' lawyer Adam Kenny said. ``He lost his temper for a regrettable moment.''
The lawsuit alleging negligence and infliction of emotional distress was filed against Pollari, the Lakeland Babe Ruth League, its head coach and the Rockaway Borough Little League, where Pollari had previously coached. The judge has dismissed the Rockaway Borough Little League as a defendant.
I mean this is really a sad situation which discerning Freepers should rally behind.
Oh, and, Babcock, forget the coach. Go for the deep-pockets of the league or city. Sue them!!!! Think of how many skateboards and grass a hefty settlement would get you.
why have all of muir_redwoods posts been deleted?
I don't know. It's sometimes hard to follow the rules of the forum I guess.
How about professional players who assault coaches? They overlook that.
I think the coach needs to attend the Woody Hayes Anger Management program.
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