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 on 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 on Friday 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 for 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 Friday'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.
"I think what you're going to find is even a more controlled atmosphere tonight," said Jonathan Maurer, who brought his wife and their three children -- ages 9, 8 and 5 -- to Friday's game.
