Red Bank, Rumson Ineligible For Baseball Tournament Following Brawl

A bench clearing brawl between Red Bank and visiting Rumson-Fair Haven that ended with both teams ejected has ended their post-season tournament hopes.

Larry White, the assistant director for the New Jersey State Interscholastic Sports Association in charge of baseball, tells the Star Ledger that NJSIAA rules state that a team with three or more player or coach ejections before a state tournament cannot participate in the tournament.

"We're disappointed in what happened over the weekend," Red Bank head baseball coach and athletic director Del Dal Pra told the Star Ledger.  "We have no ill will toward Rumson-Fair Haven. In sports, things happen. We hope to move on from this."

With both teams tied in the bottom of the sixth at 1-1 on Saturday, Red Bank's Ross Gisondi collided  with Rumson catcher Joey Spernal at home plate while running home from third after a Red Bank batter missed the pitch on an attempted squeeze bunt, and a fight erupted according to All Shore Media.

Gisondi hit Spernal with a shoulder block, which is illegal in New Jersey high school baseball, and was immediately called out and ejected by rule, home plate umpire Vinny Smith told All Shore Media. Spernal retaliated, and the benches cleared, according to Smith.

Both teams were ejected from the game, the score reverted to the last full inning which had Red Bank winning, 1-0 and home plate umpire Vinny Smith declared the game to be terminated according to All Shore Media.

Rumson-Fair Haven Parent Patrick Maisto, 49 was charged with simple assault after  running onto the field.

By NJSIAA rule, explains All Shore Media, the players who were ejected will all have to serve a two-game suspension.