Pitcher Pleads Not Guilty to Giving Fan Concussion

Minor-league pitcher Juilio Castillo, 21, has pleaded not guilty to felonious assault. The charges were laid after the Peoria Cheifs pitcher allegedly threw a ball at a fan during a brawl and gave him concussion.

Castillo maintains that he was trying to hit an opposing player in the dugout after the game turned ugly. The fan was treated in hospital after the July incident and released. Castillo did not appear at the hearing, and instead issued a written plea.