PHILADELPHIA — A baseball bat used by a young player recently made headlines after it sold for nearly $10,000 at auction. The bat belonged to 12-year-old Marco Rocco from New Jersey and was signed by him. All proceeds from the sale will go to the Haddonfield Little League, the organization that has played a big role in Marco’s life.
Marco found himself at the center of controversy after he celebrated a home run with a bat flip during a crucial tournament game on July 16. This act led to his ejection from the game and a one-game suspension. However, in a surprising turn of events, his father, Joe Rocco, took the matter to court, resulting in an emergency restraining order that allowed Marco to participate in the state tournament.
Joe Rocco expressed his pride in Marco’s passion for Little League, stating in a message, “Marco loves Little League and is happy that he can give back to an organization he cherishes.”
The auction, held by Goldin Auctions, attracted significant interest and received 68 bids, with the winning bid reaching $9,882. The identity of the new owner has not been disclosed.
The incident sparked conversations not only in their community but also among professional baseball players, many of whom expressed support for the young athlete’s spirited celebration. Marco’s bat flip has now become a celebrated moment, with even a pin made in honor of the event during the Little League World Series.
This story highlights the passion and dedication of young athletes and the strong community ties fostered by youth sports programs.
