The Region : Baseball Brawler Sentenced
A 17-year-old Bassett gang member, accused of striking a baseball umpire in the head with a bat during a Little League game two years ago, was sentenced to 10 years in state prison after he pleaded no contest Thursday to a charge of attempted murder.
Augustine Perez, a resident of Valinda who is a member of a Bassett-based gang, entered the plea in Pomona Superior Court.
The charges arose from a brawl July 10, 1991, between Bassett and Hacienda Heights teams playing at Highlander Field in Hacienda Heights. Injured during the melee was Ernest Arriola, 34, who required eight stitches to close his head wound.
The fight began after Perez was thrown out of the game for tossing his bat after he struck out. A teammate and fellow gang member then started a fight and Perez joined in.
The brawl was dubbed the most violent incident in Little League history by the organization’s spokesman in Williamsport, Pa.
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