By BEN FOX, Associated Press Writer

PALMDALE, Calif. - A 13-year-old pitcher was accused of clubbing a teenage friend to death with a baseball bat, moments after the friend apparently teased him at a concession stand following his baseball team's first loss of the season.

 

The teen attacker, whose name was not released, was arrested Wednesday for investigation of murder and was being held at Antelope Valley Juvenile Hall as authorities prepared to take the case to prosecutors.


He is suspected of killing Jeremy Rourke, 15, after the Tuesday night Pony League game in this desert city about 40 miles northeast of Los Angeles.


The boys had no history of fighting, said Tony Trevino, coach of the Dodgers, which had just defeated the suspect's team, the Angels, when the clubbing took place.


"That's what's so shocking and so appalling," he said. "What happened? What did we miss as a community? What did we miss as parents?"


At the playing field Wednesday night, a family friend read a statement from Rourke's parents, who urged people not to demonize their son's attacker.


He "is not a monster. He's a good boy who made a bad mistake. This is a mistake that will haunt both families for the rest of our lives," the statement said.


The suspect was the starting pitcher when his team was beaten for the first time in eight games by the Dodgers, a team that went into the game with a 1-6 record.


Deputies declined to provide further details of the attack. It occurred during a regular weekday night game that attracts both children and their parents in this community of 116,000.


Ryan Gosporra, 15, said the incident began when Rourke cut in front of the suspect in the snack bar line. Neither he nor Trevino saw the attack that occurred after the last game of the night with about 40 people at the field.


But Trevino, 50, said witnesses told him the two boys teased each other before the suspect pulled a bat from his bag and hit Rourke in the knees, then the head.


After the attack, Trevino saw the suspect standing against a fence with his parents. "He looked scared. He was in shock," the coach said.


League officials said play would be suspended at the field for several days.


"We're really in a state of shock over this whole thing," league President Ken Curtis said. Rourke's father is a past president of the league.


A memorial was held at Highland High School, where Rourke attended classes. Students shared memories, and a bundle of pink and black balloons was released in honor of Rourke.


"He's just a funny kid. He liked to make people smile," Gosporra said. "You could be in the worst mood, and he would make you laugh."

From what I have read about this. The two kids knew each other. The parents of  the boy who was killed have said the 13 year old (killer)  was good kid prior to the murderous beatdown. The child will be charged and put away unitl 25 years old, then released. He deserves the sentence. Although the other kid was teasing and pushing his buttons, but killing somebody is killing somebody. He boiled over in a fit of rage. His team was undefeated, it was last game of the season, he was the opening pitcher, his team was beaten by like the last place team. Although that shouldnt have been a big deal.. One loss.. The teasing was obviously taken way to personally, and rage boiled over. Witnesses said, immediately after, it was apparent the 13 year old really knew what he did was wrong it began to sink in...
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Celumnaz Posted Today, 11:19 AM
  so it's not the bat's fault? just making sure...

Although the other kid was teasing and pushing his buttons

"he is just a funny kid."
i don't think so.  he is a killer.[right][snapback]572008[/snapback][/right]