T-ball coach sentenced in assault on autistic player

Friday October 13, 2006

If you've been following the story of Mark Downs Jr., the Pennsylvania T-ball coach recently convicted of offering to pay a young player to bean an autistic teammate, here's the conclusion of the tale, for now: The 29-year-old father of four has been sentenced to one to six years in prison -- starting immediately, despite the fact that he plans to appeal. Downs is also banned from coaching youth sports teams when he's released. Do you think this is an appropriate punishment for the crime? Pick an option from the poll at right, or click on "other" and explain yourself in the comments. Then take your last chance at rendering your own verdict in the "pick a punishment" poll.