Brawl Breaks Out At Red Bank-Rumson Baseball Game

A bench clearing brawl between Red Bank and visiting Rumson-Fair Haven ended with both teams ejected and their post-season eligibility in question.

With both teams tied in the bottom of the sixth at 1-1, 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.There were 13 Red Bank players ejected and 22 from Rumson-Fair Haven, according to Smith. No coaches were ejected and tried to contain the melee between the longtime rivals.

“The coaching staffs of both schools acted swiftly and as best as they could,” Smith said. “They did a commendable job in trying to break it up and they were very cooperative at the end of the game," Smith told the Asbury Park Press.