Pa. coach jailed for threat on parole

UNIONTOWN, Pa. (AP) — A former western Pennsylvania T-ball coach has been jailed for reportedly violating a protection-from-abuse order obtained by his wife while on parole for offering a player $25 to throw a ball to hit a 9-year-old autistic teammate.

Fayette County judge has set a hearing Wednesday to determine whether 33-year-old Mark Downs Jr., of Dunbar, has violated his parole on the one- to six-year prison sentence he got for the beaning.

Downs was released from prison five months ago after serving the minimum sentence for the beaning incident before a June 2005 playoff game. His sentencing was delayed by appeals.

Downs was sentenced for offering an 8-year-old player money to hit a mildly autistic teammate with a ball during warmups. Prosecutors say Downs wanted the autistic boy to be hurt so Downs wouldn’t have to use him in the game.