The fight between Millbrook and Leesville Road players resulted from aplay between Millbrook's Joe Gaetti and the catcher for Leesville Road.Trying to score the winning run, Gaetti illegally plowed into the catcherand the benches emptied.
"I was very disappointed in the boys, the way they acted," saidparent Carolyn Ketchie. "They should be adults. They have played ball longenough. It's just uncalled for."
UNC athletic researcher Ed Shields said the fight was an example of toomuch pressure to win.
"I think we need to distinguish between being competitive and play by therules and winning at all costs," Shields said.
The Leesville coach would not comment, but Millbrook coach Harry Jonessaid he didn't expect to see any more fighting from his players.
"In that situation very few people had command of themselves," he said."That's a lesson we will try to reinforce today and as we finish theseason."
The North Carolina Athletic Association is looking for ways to improvesportsmanship. Some suggestions include suspending students and penalizingschools for repeat offenders.
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