General view of a baseball in a glove during batting practice prior to the game at baseball game on on Apr 18, 2025.
A youth baseball incident that went viral has resulted in discipline.
The coach, who allegedly instructed his 11-year-old son to hurl a ball into the opposing team’s dugout, has been given a lifetime suspension by the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA), which sanctioned the travel ball tournament where the incident took place.
The coach's son, who was pitching at the time he threw the ball into the opposing team’s dugout during a Memorial Day weekend tournament in Kansas City, has been suspended for five years.
John Latella, CEO of USSSA, informed USA Today Sports of the disciplinary action Thursday.
"Due to the sensitive nature of the sensitive manner of the issue, and involvement of minors, no further comments will be (provided)," Latella told USA Today Sports by text message.
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The incident occurred during a game between a team from Oklahoma and team from Nebraska featuring players age 11 and younger. It gained national attention after a video showing part of what happened circulated on social media.
The coach suspended for life by USSSA is Michael Ryals 38, of Welling, Oklahoma. He coached the team from Oklahoma. The pitcher’s name will not be published because he is a minor.
The USSSA is a non-profit organization based in Florida that, according to Latella's LinkedIn page, has sanctioned 35,000 events with 4.5 million participants in 47 states.
