Little League coach who sued player over torn tendon says he will drop suit after an apology
A California Little League coach who sued the league and a player over his torn tendon says he would drop the suit if the youth apologizes for causing his injury.
The coach, Alan Beck, claims his Achilles tendon was torn when he was struck by a batting helmet thrown by the 14-year-old Granite Bay youth during a victory celebration, report the Sacramento Bee and ABC News 10. Beck says he has fielded crank calls, some threatening, since he filed his $500,000 claim.
Beck, a Roseville chiropractor, told the Sacramento Bee the boy’s family didn’t offer sympathy or accept blame for his injury, which has interfered with his work.
Lawyers for the family said there won’t be an apology.
“It’s a silly case, it’s a frivolous case,” the youth’s lawyer, James Donahue, told News 10. He says the family wants Beck to pay $3,000 for the family’s legal fees or to donate the money to the league.
McGeorge law professor Lawrence Levine told the Sacramento Bee that California law offers strong protections from suit for sports leagues and school districts. “If you are going to be a Little League coach, this is one of the risks you inherit,” he said.
