A Northeast High School senior filed a $100,000 suit yesterday against the county schools for injuries allegedly suffered when a 90-mph fastball thrown by a pitching machine hit him last spring.
Larry D. Barath II, 17, of the 7600 block of Colonial Beach Road in Pasadena says in the Anne Arundel Circuit Court suit that Northeast's pitching machine was placed 40 feet from him, instead of the recommended 60 feet, 6 inches, and was set at 90 mph when he stepped up for batting practice April 12.
The machine threw a hardball that hit Mr. Barath in the mouth and cut his upper lip. He needed surgery at North Arundel General Hospital to close the wound, the suit says, leaving a scar that might require additional surgery.
Northeast's baseball coach, Harry Lentz, was "away on the telephone" when the incident occurred, the suit says.
The suit, which names the Board of Education as defendant, seeks compensatory damages for the student's "great pain and mental anguish" and for medical expenses and any permanent disfigurement.
Jane Doyle, a school spokeswoman, declined to comment yesterday.