Yankees Strike Back After Little League Coach Accuses Aaron Judge Of Snubbing Kids

The New York Yankees have come to Aaron Judge’s defense after a Staten Island Little League coach accused him of ignoring his players. The children were sitting behind New York’s dugout during the Little League Classic, a game between the Yankees and Tigers in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

After the game, South Shore Little League coach Bob Laterza told the Staten Island Advance that several Yankees players visited with his team beforehand, but that Judge wasn’t one of them. He also complained that Judge did not acknowledge the kids during the game. The Staten Island team qualified for the Little League World Series earlier this summer, eventually falling to Florida in the consolation bracket Tuesday.

“How about turning around or [waving] to New York and the kids that think you’re a hero,” Laterza said. “They are the ones who pay your salary.”

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that he would not dignify Laterza’s comments with a response, affirming Judge’s character. The team delivered an emphatic statement of its own earlier this week defending Judge.

“Win or lose, we intend to invite them to Yankee Stadium,” the team’s statement said. “However, it would have been much better if Staten Island’s Coach called us to understand the facts before bitterly reacting in such a public fashion. Reaching out to us would have been the prudent way to act and would have set a fine example for his young players.

“Aaron Judge always acts with kindness and respect. The coach could learn a lot from him.”

In the Little League Classic, the Yankees and Tigers both failed to deliver much offense for their eager audience. The Yankees took a 1-0 lead into the ninth inning before Clay Holmes allowed a game-tying run in yet another blown save. Detroit went on to win 3-2 in extra innings.

Judge, who was consistently mobbed by Little Leaguers throughout the event, had no comment for Laterza’s accusations.

“I’m not going to give him a response because it’s about the kids,” Judge said, according to the New York Times. “That’s what it’s all about.”