Fifteen players and both managers were ejected after a bench-clearing brawl in the first inning between the Peoria Chiefs and Dayton Dragons on Thursday night in the Midwest League.
An hour after the brawl began, league President George Spelius, reached by telephone at his home in Beloit, Wis., reversed the ejections under advisement from the parent Reds and Cubs, who didn't want to see each team use two pitchers as outfielders.
This wasn't an ordinary fight. Players from both sides were throwing?and landing?real punches, and Peoria pitcher Julio Castillo appeared to be trying to hit a Dayton player with a thrown baseball in the dugout, instead hitting a fan in the stands who had to be taken to a hospital.
It all began when Dayton manager Donnie Scott left the third base coaching box to complain to umpire Tyler Wilson when Brandon Menchaca was brushed back by a pitch. Already Dayton had two batters hit in the inning, but the Chiefs were angry that Dayton's Angel Cabrera broke up a double play with a hard slide into second.
While Scott was talking with Wilson, Peoria interim manager Carmelo Martinez?filling in for Ryne Sandberg, who is in Cooperstown, N.Y.?joined the conversation, which became heated. When Martinez pushed Scott, the benches emptied.
Before the brawl, Dayton shortstop Zack Cozart was drilled in the helmet by a Castillo pitch and left the game. Also, Peoria second baseman Gian Guzman broke his leg trying to field a grounder.
An hour after the brawl began, league President George Spelius, reached by telephone at his home in Beloit, Wis., reversed the ejections under advisement from the parent Reds and Cubs, who didn't want to see each team use two pitchers as outfielders.
This wasn't an ordinary fight. Players from both sides were throwing?and landing?real punches, and Peoria pitcher Julio Castillo appeared to be trying to hit a Dayton player with a thrown baseball in the dugout, instead hitting a fan in the stands who had to be taken to a hospital.
It all began when Dayton manager Donnie Scott left the third base coaching box to complain to umpire Tyler Wilson when Brandon Menchaca was brushed back by a pitch. Already Dayton had two batters hit in the inning, but the Chiefs were angry that Dayton's Angel Cabrera broke up a double play with a hard slide into second.
While Scott was talking with Wilson, Peoria interim manager Carmelo Martinez?filling in for Ryne Sandberg, who is in Cooperstown, N.Y.?joined the conversation, which became heated. When Martinez pushed Scott, the benches emptied.
Before the brawl, Dayton shortstop Zack Cozart was drilled in the helmet by a Castillo pitch and left the game. Also, Peoria second baseman Gian Guzman broke his leg trying to field a grounder.
