© Eric Rueb/Providence Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
(Haddonfield, NJ) – Celebrating in sports can be controversial. For baseball, the most recent debate surrounds “bat flipping.” That’s the exuberant process of flipping the bat high into the air after notching a big hit. The “new school” says — let them have fun. The “old school” sees it as disrespectful and outside the spirit of the game.
A 12-year-old from Haddonfield, New Jersey found himself front and center in that debate. He was suspended after a celebratory bat flip following a game-winning home run — but a judge eventually reinstated him for the state championship game. It didn’t have much impact on the game, as the boy’s team was beaten handily. But he got to play, despite the controversy.
Little League officials called the bat flip “unsportsmanlike,” which triggered an automatic suspension. But the boy’s family pushed back, noting that Little League often promotes similar celebrations on social media.
A Gloucester County judge called the punishment inconsistent and cleared the player to return to the field.
