POLL: Should Boy Be Responsible for Errant Little League Throw That Struck Spectator?

A Manchester boy is being sued for $500,000 for an errant pitch that struck a spectator in the face two years ago at the township's Little League field, according to his father and media reports. 

Matthew Migliaccio was 11 when a practice pitch he threw left the field and struck a Whiting woman in the face. His father, Bob Migliaccio, told Patch in an email that the league originally told the family that "he had nothing legally to worry about."

That is not the case any longer, he alleges.

"Little League at every level will not help in his defense," he writes. "The policy of Little League is not to cover spectators under its insurance plan, so we are on our own."

A lawyer for the Migliaccios told the Associated Press that the lawsuit, which alleges that Elizabeth Lloyd was assaulted and battered by the pitch and has ongoing pain and anguish, is "disgusting.

"It's horrible this can actually happen and get this far," attorney Anthony Pagano told the AP. "Ultimately, hopefully, justice will prevail."

A Little League spokesperson told the AP that local leagues are required to have insurance for coaches, players and other workers, but not spectators.

The Migliaccio's homeowners' insurance would cover the count alleging negligence and carelessness, but not the two other counts, according to the AP.

Migliacco told Patch that he hopes his son's story will help spread the word that Little League does not protect players and their families from this type of incident.