Offerman can swing the lumber

Former major league All-Star Jose Offerman was charged with two counts of second-degree assault after hitting the pitcher and catcher with his bat during an independent minor league game. Offerman posted $10,000 bond and is due in Bridgeport Superior Court on Aug. 23, court officials said Wednesday.

Offerman, playing for the Long Island Ducks in the Atlantic League, homered in the first inning. The next inning, he was hit by a pitch from Bridgeport's Matt Beech and charged the mound with his bat. According to the Connecticut Post, Beech was hit on the hands as he attempted to defend himself, while catcher John Nathans was hit in the back of the head on Offerman's backswing. Police said Beech, a left-hander, sustained a broken right middle finger, and Nathans later suffered from nausea, the newspaper reported. Bridgeport manager Tommy John told ESPN2's "First Take" that Nathans had suffered a concussion.

Generally basebrawls are funny; like seeing Robin Ventura get noogied by a decrepit Nolan Ryan, or George Bell doing his best Bruce Lee impression, but this one is just Juan Marichal crazy. I haven't seen anyone go this crazy since someone drank Sidney Ponson's last shot of rum while he showered.

Note: Check this weekend for our regular feature Throwing Smoke Flashback for videos of some of our favourite baseball brawls!