In 2004, Martin Gonzalez, 12 at the time, sustained torn ligaments in the knee sliding into second base in a Little League game. Martin needed two surgeries to repair the injury. His mom filed a lawsuit against the league and Little League Baseball Inc., alleging that her son was not taught the proper technique.

Now, five years later – family waited three to file the lawsuit – Little League Baseball has to fork over $125K to his kook of a mom.

Makes me yearn for simpler time of youth sports. I’m pretty sure you could run through the catcher in my Little League day. Everyone got hurt, no one sued, big league chew was legal.

H/T to Gothamist for this.

Staten Island mom settles suit with Little League and coaches over knee injury (Staten Island Advance)

ARLINGTON — An Arlington Little League coach is accused of showing some of his players how to steal more than second base.

Investigators allege that George Spady Jr. was with his son, a nephew and another player from his baseball team when he broke into a vacant shop and took overhead lights and bolts. The boys were encouraged to assist with the break-in, Snohomish County deputy prosecutor Edirin Okoloko wrote in court documents.

Spady’s like a regular Walter Matthau in The Bad News Bears, only more lawless.

[The boy] told investigators that Spady’s son crawled through a vent on the back side of the shop and unlocked the door for his father. Spady, his son and Spady’s nephew then went inside and came out with light fixtures and some other items, according to court documents.

[The boy] told investigators that Spady yelled at him to go inside and grab more from the shop, and told him to hurry up because he saw a truck drive by, Okoloko wrote.

They don’t say how old the accomplices he coerced are, but Spady Jr. is 31, so I’m guessing 10 (maybe younger??) Geez. I see a restraining order (don’t even come within 200 ft of the snack shack) and “visitation rights, denied” in this guy’s future.

Arlington coach put Little League boys up to burglary, police say (HeraldNet.com)

Playing baseball at an airport (Japan Probe)

And these guys make the pirates from Brooklyn look like merely over-enthusiast camp counselors.

What is weirdest to me is that this is happening in Portland, Maine of all places. Isn’t it like the L.L. Bean Capital of the World?

Ah… Vacationland! It’s here at long last… Summertime in Portland, Maine! Barbecues all over Munjoy Hill, picnics across the Eastern Promenade. Kites flying above the East End Beach, boats sailing in Casco Bay. Friends and lovers lazing on the lawn, families basking on the beach, children frolicking on the playground…

That little snapshot of tranquility came right off the Zombie Kickball MySpace page.

Game play and strategy definitely appear open to individual interpretation. However, the two rules that participants in Zombie Kickball must adhere to above all else are be civil…and be courteous.

To be more specific, that means don’t stagger through flower beds, don’t stumble against cars, and keep your moans to a dull roar.

And, of course, be respectful of the Bayside Little Leaguers playing nearby.

The Third Annual (kickin’ ass and taking brains since 2006!) Zombie Kickball happens on Sunday, June 29 on the Eastern Prom in Portland.

Check out some footage and photos from year one here: