ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Former U.S. Olympian Cory Snyder pleaded innocent Friday to assault charges stemming from a bat-throwing incident that injured two spectators and triggered a brawl among players during an International League baseball game.
Snyder, an infielder with the Maine Guides, entered the plea through his attorney at his arraignment in City Court.
A hearing was scheduled for June 12. Judge John Schwartz released Snyder on his own recognizance.
A graduate of Brigham Young and a member of the 1984 U.S. Olympic baseball team, Snyder was charged with two counts of third-degree assault.
The incident occurred Thursday night during a game between Maine, the top minor-league team of the Cleveland Indians, and Rochester, a Baltimore Orioles farm club.
After hitting a short fly ball for an out in the fourth inning, Snyder allegedly hurled his bat into the stands where it hit two Rochester women sitting in the front row, police said.
During Snyder's next at-bat in the sixth inning, Rochester pitcher Bill Swaggerty hit Snyder with a pitch. A bench-clearing brawl ensued and Swaggerty and Snyder were ejected.
Dorothy Matteson, 61, suffered a cut mouth and Debra Schirtz, 26, suffered a broken nose. Both women were treated and released at St. Mary's Hospital.
Snyder, the Cleveland Indians top selection in the 1984 draft, was arrested following his ejection from the game.
The Red Wings beat the Guides, 3-2.
