Youth Baseball Coach Gets Lifetime Ban for Viral Incident
USSSA said the coach directed his son to throw into a rival dugout, and the boy received a five-year suspension after the viral incident.
- The United States Specialty Sports Association banned Oklahoma coach Michael Ryals for life after he allegedly instructed his 12-year-old son to throw a ball into the opposing team's dugout during a Memorial Day weekend tournament in Kansas City.
- During an 11-and-under game, the opposing team from Nebraska grew boisterous in the final inning, prompting the alleged directive from Ryals to his son, who was pitching at the time.
- USSSA CEO John Latella confirmed the disciplinary actions to USA TODAY Sports, noting the pitcher—a minor—received a five-year suspension for his role in the incident.
- Following the game, which Nebraska won 8-6, a parent from the team coached by Ryals sent a letter of apology to Brandon Magni, the Nebraska coach, through Facebook.
- Based in Florida, the USSSA is a non-profit organization that has sanctioned 35,000 events with 4.5 million participants across 47 states, according to LinkedIn data.
38 Articles
38 Articles
Helena Independent Record
Youth baseball coach gets lifetime ban for viral incident
The coach allegedly instructed his 11-year-old son to hurl a ball into the opposing team’s dugout.
Oklahoma youth baseball coach, son banned for wild tournament scene: ‘Are you kidding me?’
An Oklahoma youth baseball coach has received a lifetime suspension for allegedly telling his son to throw a ball into the opposing team's dugout, according to USA Today.
What This Oklahoma Baseball Coach Did In The Dugout Earned Him A Lifetime Ban
Shocking baseball incident (Photo Via X) A youth baseball tournament in Kansas City during Memorial Day weekend got serious after officials said an Oklahoma coach told his son to throw a baseball into the opposing team’s dugout. The incident caught the attention of tournament officials and parents. According to reports, the controversy resulted in a lifetime ban for 38-year-old coach Michael Ryals of Welling, Oklahoma. Officials also suspended h…
Youth Baseball Coach Hit With Lifetime Ban After Viral Incident
May 28, 2026Updated May 29, 2026, 2:18 p.m. ET A youth baseball incident that went viral has resulted in discipline. An Oklahoma coach, who allegedly instructed his 12-year-old son to hurl a ball into the opposing team’s dugout, has been given a lifetime suspension by the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA), which sanctioned the travel ball tournament where the incident took place. The coach’s son, who was pitching at the time he…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 89% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
