Weatherford Pitcher Dropped After Player Assault

Owen Woodward has been removed from the college team after tackling a player. This week, the baseball teams of Weatherford College and North Central Texas College played the first...

Owen Woodward has been removed from the college team after tackling a player.

This week, the baseball teams of Weatherford College and North Central Texas College played the first in what was supposed to be a four-game series for the North Texas Junior College Athletic Conference. At one point during the game, player from North Central hit a home run, and as one of the runners rounded the bases, he could be seen issuing some manner of taunt to the Weatherford pitcher, Owen Woodward. In response, Woodward ran to third base and tackled the runner, knocking him to the ground. After this, the runner, Josh Phillips, stood up and ran to home base, and the game was suspended.

For assaulting another player, Woodward has been officially dropped from the Weatherford baseball team, and according to the Weatherford College Student Services Office, could face additional disciplinary action up to and including expulsion. Meanwhile, Phillips, as punishment for taunting Woodward, will be suspended for two games. It was ultimately decided that the game would be invalidated, with both teams officially forfeiting.

“We are shocked and disappointed at what happened in our game today,” Weatherford head coach and assistant athletic director Jeff Lightfoot said Wednesday. “We do not condone this type of behavior. We have worked hard to build a program with the highest of standards. We are completely embarrassed by this incident, and we apologize to North Central Texas College and the fans of WC baseball. This type of behavior cannot be tolerated.”