Butting in may not be best move

Details have emerged about the fight between Danny Valencia and Billy Butler in the Oakland Athletics’ clubhouse Friday that caused Butler to miss two games with an injury.

According to A’s beat writer Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, the clash started when Butler butted into a conversation between Valencia and an equipment rep who was visiting the team. Valencia was being questioned about off-brand cleats in his locker when Butler reportedly ratted him out.

Slusser’s information comes from two unnamed players who watched it all go down. She writes:

“Valencia told the representative that he only uses the non-issue spikes during pregame workouts. According to multiple sources, Butler, who has an equipment endorsement with a different company, jumped in to tell the equipment rep that Valencia was lying and regularly uses the non-standard spikes. Butler allegedly told the representative that the company should drop Valencia’s endorsement deal. Endorsement deals are typically worth between $10,000 and $20,000, sometimes more.”

After the rep departed, the players said, Valencia confronted Butler and told him, “Don’t you ever loud talk me in front of a rep. That was wrong,” and walked aggressively toward Butler. Butler turned around, took a couple steps toward Valencia, and according to both witnesses, said, “I can say whatever I want.”

One player said that the men leaned in, bumped heads and then started pushing each other, Valencia started swinging and hit Butler in the temple. After the players broke things up, Butler told the players he was OK.

A’s skipper Bob Melvin told reporters that Butler was nauseous and sick to his stomach, but that he didn’t have the flu. As The Chronicle pointed out, both symptoms are consistent with a concussion.

Sounds like this is one instance where — joking or not — Butler would have been wise to mind his own business.

Fly over

A drone that flew over Lambeau Field during the Green Bay Packers game last week has been confiscated in a federal investigation.

Officials say it’s against the law to fly a drone over the stadium because of the potential for danger. Green Bay Police Commander Paul Ebel says the drone could malfunction and crash into the crowd, or worse, it could contain a bomb.

Police tracked the drone to a house across the street from the stadium and said the drone operator has been cooperative. Ebel says police have been in contact with the Federal Aviation Administration, which will continue to investigate.

Ebel said the operator apparently didn’t intend any harm, but could still be charged depending on what the FAA finds.

Owner rules

“LeBron James said his goal is to own a team,” wrote RJ Currie of sportsdeke.com. “Up to now he’s settled for owning coaches.”

AP/MARK J. TERRILL Oakland Athletics teammates Danny Valencia (right) and Billy Butler were high-fiving on Aug. 4, but they came to blows in a clubhouse scuffle Friday.