Scotch Plains Homeowner Accused Of Attacking H.S. Baseball Player Over Foul Ball

SCOTCH PLAINS, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- A foul ball apparently led to some foul behavior at a baseball game over the weekend.

Union Catholic High School was hosting Plainfield on Saturday in Scotch Plains when a foul ball hooked over the third base dugout into a nearby yard on Dutch Lane.

1010 WINS' Steve Sandberg reports

Assistant principal and varsity baseball coach Jim Reagan Jr. said one of his players went to retrieve the ball and was assaulted by the homeowner as he walked back to the dugout.

"The boy was caught from behind," Reagan said. "The boy did not see it, did not hear it, had no idea until he was in his grip."

Reagan said 44-year-old Michael Bennett ran out of his home, lunged through the treeline and jumped on the 18-year-old's back, wrestling him for the ball.

"One arm was around his waist, the other arm was over his shoulder by his neck," Reagan said. "I screamed from the third base coaching box, 'Stop it' and 'Get your hands off of my player.'"

Bennett has been charged with simple assault. He could not be reached for comment.

"The whole situation is surreal," Reagan said. "I don't know what was going on in his head."

Police said residents on Dutch Lane have long complained about foul balls crashing into their yards.

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