A middle school basketball rivalry took a violent turn on Friday, one police said led to one coach biting off part of another’s ear.
After two sixth grade teams played at the Holy Name School in Springfield, Mass., for the boy's championship basketball game, police received a report of a disturbance.
Police said the assistant coach of the losing team, Timothy Lee Forbes, 34, of Springfield assaulted the coach of the winning team after the game and bit off part of his ear.
People at the game pulled Forbes off the coach, police said, and Forbes ran out of the gym before police arrived.
The victim, a 34-year-old Springfield man, was rushed to the Baystate Medical Center emergency room in an ambulance to reattach the ear and receive medical treatment. He has been released.
Forbes has been charged with mayhem, assault and battery and other charges. His arraignment was set for Monday afternoon in Springfield District Court.
Police said neither team is affiliated with the Holy Name School.
