Pitcher who tackled opponent faces a potentially stiff penalty from school

There’s no crying in baseball, as Tom Hanks famously said, but there’s also no tackling.

The latter rule was ignored during Wednesday’s game between Weatherford (Texas) College and North Central Texas College.

A Weatherford pitcher attacked NCTC’s Josh Phillips after he had hit a home run. The pitcher, identified by ESPN as Owen Woodward, could face expulsion from his school.

The incident has been viewed more than 4 million times as part of a viral video shared on social media.

“We are shocked and disappointed at what happened in our game today,” Weatherford baseball coach/associate athletic director Jeff Lightfoot said in a statement shared on Twitter. “We do not condone this type of behavior. We have worked hard to build a program with the highest of standards.

“We are completely embarrassed by the incident and we apologize to North Central Texas College and the fans of WC baseball. This type of behavior cannot be tolerated.”

The game was suspended after the tackle.

Weatherford Athletics said the college is investigating the incident and Woodward “will face potential disciplinary action ... up to and possibly including expulsion.”

North Central Texas College said the Weatherford College Police Department also is investigating the incident.

“North Central Texas College supports its student athletes and the various athletic programs available at the College,” NCTC Chancellor Brent Wallace said in a statement.

“NCTC expects our student athletes to exhibit the highest levels of sportsmanship both on and off the field. The unfortunate events at Weatherford College will be used as a teaching moment for our student athletes to help ensure these incidents do not occur in the future.”