Youth receives probation for attack on Royals' coach

A 15-year-old boy who attacked a Kansas City Royals coach during a baseball game at Comiskey Park was sentenced Thursday to five years of probation.

Cook County Judge Paul Stralka also ordered the teen to undergo mandatory counseling and perform 30 hours of community service.

"Your potential far outweighs the wrong you have done," Stralka told the teen in court Thursday.

The boy was arrested along with his father, William Ligue Jr., after the Sept. 19 attack on Royals coach Tom Gamboa which was televised live. The boy's father has pleaded innocent to charges of aggravated battery and mob action.

"You did not have a protective and caring father," Stralka told the teen. But the judge also reminded the boy of his responsibility for the attack, saying his actions "were not a mistake but intentionally committed."

The boy, whose name is being withheld because of his age, has admitted running onto the field during the White Sox game against the Royals and attacking Gamboa who was coaching first-base. The 54-year-old coach suffered cuts and bruises.

The teen apologized to Gamboa, and the coach later said he accepted the apology and hoped the boy had learned from his mistake.

As part of his sentence, the teen also was ordered to stay away from Gamboa and Comiskey Park.

-- AP