Pitcher Testifies During Connecticut Trial on Batter Hitting Etiquette

A former major league pitcher says he didn’t intentionally throw at batter Jose Offerman during a 2007 independent minor league game that resulted in a bat-wielding brawl.

Matt Beech gave a video deposition that was presented to jurors Monday in the civil trial of Offerman, who is being sued by former Bridgeport Bluefish catcher Johnathan Nathans. Nathans is seeking $4.8 million from Offerman and his former team, the Long Island Ducks. He suffered a head injury during the August 2007 altercation.

Offerman denies he struck Nathans with the bat.

The Connecticut Post reports that Beech testified he unintentionally hit Offerman in the leg.

He says Offerman should have known the beaning was unintentional, because baseball etiquette requires a pitcher to aim for the ribs when trying to hit a batter.