9/15/2012 11:51 AM ET

Tsumemasa Morimoto Suspended Five Games for Altercation with Radio Show Host

Florida Featherheads first baseman Tsumemasa Morimoto has been suspended for five games by the Office of the Commissioner.

During a recent taping of the Suicide Squeeze radio show, Mr. Morimoto became embroiled in a physical confirmation with show host Nelly Haynes, Jr.  This constitutes an unacceptable breach of the code of conduct all players and personnel are expected to adhere to.  Mr. Morimoto’s actions are not at all in accordance with league policy of professional behavior at all time for all of its employees.  This punishment reflects the league’s deep disappointment in Mr. Morimoto’s lack of judgment.

Speaking to reporters this morning, Commissioner John Rodriguez, Jr. explained his reasoning behind rendering this verdict.  “Tsumemasa Morimoto has been an inspirational figure both to Florida Featherheads fans and the millions of Japanese citizens who have closely followed his exploits in the PEBA.  With that notoriety comes great responsibility.  We expect all our players to conduct themselves professionally at all times.  That holds doubly true for stars like Mr. Morimoto.  Many, many people around the world look up to him as a role model.  He needs to embrace that role, and I hope this suspension will be a wake-up call for him.

“No one said being a public figure was easy, but it is a responsibility.  As a ballplayer, you are going to face the slings and arrows of the media from time to time.  Some members of the media will be more critical than others.  We’re all quite fond of Mr. Nelly, though I’m sure we all recognize he is a bit… he can be somewhat abrasive at times.  That doesn’t serve as an excuse.  If it did, I’m sure many of us in the PEBA would have sore knuckles at this point.”

The PEBA wishes to apologies to fans who were upset by Mr. Morimoto’s behavior.  Apologies to members of the media upset by the notion that some of them may deserve beatings will not be forthcoming at this time.