A high school baseball coach who broke a freshman player’s hand with a pitch during batting practice has been found guilty of negligence. 
In a mixed verdict, the Nassau County civil jury also ruled Thursday that Great Neck High School coach Michael Lewis was not acting recklessly when the injury occurred.
Benjamin Herskowitz had claimed the coach hit him intentionally during a practice because the coach was upset the player had complained to his principal about a summer practice schedule.
The defense claimed Lewis never hit the player, even by accident. But a friend of Herskowitz testified he saw the incident.
The case now moves on to the liability phase. It will determine whether Lewis and the Great Neck School District must pay damages.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.
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