Little League Pitch Suit Spurs Legislators to Consider Extending Spectator Liability

Planned legislation — spurred by the story of a Manchester Little League player  after his errant pitch struck a Whiting woman — could mean spectators will watch at their own risk during nonprofit youth sporting events. 

Representatives from New Jersey's 10th Legislative District, which includes Manchester and Lakehurst, are planning to introduce legislation that would expand the assumption of spectator risk at professional events outlined in a 2006 state law to nonprofit youth sport events. The law states that in most instances, a spectator is responsible for his or her safety at the venue from things like, for example, a ball hit into the stands.

"You're sitting in your seat and get hit by a ball. There's an assumption of risk," said Glen Feldman, chief of staff for Republicans Sen. Jim Holzapfel and Assemblymen Dave Wolfe and Greg McGukin. 

Word of the expected legislation comes more than a month after news broke that Manchester teen Matthew Migliaccio is being sued for $500,000 after his warm-up pitch two years ago left the field and struck Elizabeth Lloyd of Whiting in the face. The lawsuit alleges that Lloyd was assaulted and battered by the pitch and has ongoing pain and anguish.

The state's Office of Legislative Services is drafting the legislation at the request of 10th district representatives. A draft could be completed as early as next week, according to Feldman. 

Exactly how the bill will apply to youth sports is not yet known.

"At this point, it's too early" to tell what the potential legislation will propose regarding play at nonprofit youth fields, Feldman said. "There is a difference between professional and Little League."

Matthew's father, Bob Migliaccio, said that he was inspired to contact his legislators after doing a radio interview on New York radio station WFAN regarding his son's lawsuit. An attorney also appearing on the show mentioned the assumption of risk law, which applies to play at professional venues.

"I planned from that moment to work with my Legislature to change the law and figured with the exposure the story was getting, no politician could disagree," Migliaccio said. 

He emailed his representatives just last Thursday with his proposal. 

"I did not think it would happen so quickly," Migliaccio said. "Guess they heard the story."

A Little League spokesperson told the Associated Press that local leagues are required to have insurance for coaches, players and other workers, but not spectators. Migliaccio has told Patch that he hopes his story will help spread awareness about the league's policy.