A recreational softball game at Cedar Creek Park in Seaford turned suddenly violent Sunday, when police say a player hit an opponent in the head with a metal bat. The 34-year-old victim was taken to a hospital and is recovering, while a Lindenhurst man was arrested at the field and later arraigned on assault and weapons charges.
Park fight, arrest on the scene
Nassau County police say a dispute during the rec-league game on Merrick Road spiraled into a full-on fight, ending when Brian Polanco allegedly swung a metal bat at another player. According to NBC New York, officers arrested Polanco at Cedar Creek Park and charged him with second-degree assault and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon.
Arraignment in Hempstead
Court filings show Polanco, 32, pleaded not guilty Monday in Nassau First District Court in Hempstead. Greater Long Island reports he was released without bail following the arraignment and that detectives are continuing their investigation.
Investigation and community concern
Police told reporters the scuffle involved members from both teams and that the incident is being treated as an assault rather than an on-field accident. Authorities did not immediately offer a motive, and attorney information for Polanco was not available, according to NBC New York.
What the charges mean
Under New York law, assault in the second degree - the charge brought in this case - is a serious felony offense often applied when a weapon is used or serious injury results, per the state penal code. The separate weapons count, criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree, is typically a class A misdemeanor under state law, which can carry jail time; see the New York Penal Law for details as compiled by FindLaw.
