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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Saturday, July 26, 2008

Pitcher charged with felony

By James Hannah
Associated Press

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Dayton Dragons' Justin Reed (5) is surrounded by several Peoria Chiefs players, during a brawl in a minor league baseball game Thursday in Dayton, Ohio. Last night, the teams played without any incidents.

DAVE MUNCH | Associated Press

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DAYTON, Ohio — A minor league pitcher accused of throwing a ball that hit a fan during a bench-clearing brawl was charged with felonious assault, ordered held on $50,000 bond and directed to surrender his passport.

Peoria Chiefs pitcher Julio Castillo was arrested Thursday following a fight between the Class-A Chiefs and Dayton Dragons. Umpires ejected 15 players and the teams' managers after the 10-minute brawl ended.

Video from the game shows the 21-year-old Castillo angrily throwing a ball, but doesn't show where it landed.

The fan, who remains unidentified, was treated and released at Miami Valley Hospital Thursday night, said hospital spokeswoman Nancy Thickel. She didn't know the extent of the fan's injuries.

Castillo was arraigned by video from the Montgomery County jail yesterday and ordered held on bond. Dayton Municipal Judge Carl Henderson also required Castillo, who is from the Dominican Republic, to give up his passport.

"This charge is a result of outlandish and inexcusable conduct by a professional baseball player," Montgomery County Prosecutor Mathias Heck Jr. said in a statement.

If convicted, Castillo would face up to eight years in prison and a $15,000 fine.

Dressed in jail blues, he stood with his arms folded behind his back and showed little emotion. He was flanked by his attorney and an interpreter. Castillo said he has been in the United States for a month and has been living with teammates in Peoria.

Defense attorney Kevin Braig had asked Castillo's release.

"He is employed gainfully by the Peoria Chiefs," Braig told the judge. "He has no history of prior offenses. I've been in contact with the club. This matter is being taken serious."

A message seeking comment was left with Braig.

Dragons spokesman Tom Nichols said no mention of the brawl would be made during today's game with Peoria, the final of a three-game series. Pregame warmups went without incident, with the players running, stretching and throwing on opposite sides of the outfield.

The first few innings went smoothly, with no sign of any animosity between the teams.

The Dragons are affiliated with the Cincinnati Reds, while the Chiefs are affiliated with the Chicago Cubs.

Three Peoria batters were hit in Wednesday's game between the clubs. After a Peoria player was hit in the top of the first on Thursday, Castillo hit two batters in the bottom half — one in the head. The second batter hit by Castillo, Angel Cabrerra, made an aggressive slide into second to break up a double play.

Castillo followed that by throwing his next pitch up-and-in, prompting Dayton manager Donnie Scott to complain to the home plate umpire. Interim Peoria manager Carmelo Martinez — filling in for Ryne Sandberg — came onto the field to join the discussion.

The two managers began arguing, and when Martinez pushed Scott, the benches emptied.