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Canadaeast News Service

SENIOR BASEBALL — The Fredericton Royals have appealed the suspensions of Jeremy Turgeon and Andrew McNeill to Baseball New Brunswick, citing "an inaccurate description of the events" that took place in Summerside, P.E.I., last Saturday.

The New Brunswick Senior Baseball League executive had suspended two Fredericton Royals and one Summerside Chevys player for their roles in Saturday's game in Summerside being called off.

Both players are eligible to play pending the result of the appeal.

League president Brian Richard, first vice-president Art Gremley and second vice-president Bev Bawn met to decide on proper punishment.

The game was halted in the top of the fourth inning at the umpires' discretion.

"The umpires' report said they were at risk, so for the safety of the players and the umpires, they called the game," Richard said.

The Chevys were leading Game 2 of the doubleheader 1-0 after the Royals took the opener 8-0.

Jeremy Turgeon and Andrew McNeill were ejected for the Royals while Justin Grady was tossed for the Chevys.

"The umpires felt the game was out of control," Chevys coach Craig Noonan said. "That's their decision but I didn't feel it was as explosive a situation as maybe it was made out to be."

Summerside starter Jeremy Martin was upset because one of the Royals had yelled 'balk' during a pitch to home plate in the top of the third.

In the bottom of the inning, Fredericton starter Jake Waugh, who had struggled with his control, let a fastball get away inside and just missed Nial Hughes, who scrambled to avoid being hit by the pitch.

After Martin hit Turgeon with the first pitch of the fourth inning, tempers flared and umpires had their hands full to contain both clubs.

Both teams were fined $50 for failing to control their players. Turgeon received a three-game suspension: one for being tossed from the game, one for refusing to leave the field and a third game for his second ejection in two years.

Turgeon was suspended two games for fighting during Game 4 of the league final last September against the Moncton Mets.

Earlier this season three players, including two members of the Chatham Junior Ironmen, were suspended after a brawl between the Miramichi club and the P.E.I. Selects in the second game of a double header at Ironmen Field.