A former youth football coach accused of punching a rival coach's teen-age son after a game last fall was fined $1,000 and sentenced to three years of probation yesterday.
Judge Rodney C. Warren of the Anne Arundel County Circuit Court also ordered Michael T. Pivec, 53, of Queenstown to seek anger-management counseling and stay away from the 15-year-old victim.
As part of an agreement with the county state's attorney's office, Pevic agreed that he had struck the boy in the face without provocation, but he did not admit guilt to a crime. Warren imposed probation before judgment, meaning that Pivec will have a clean record if he stays out of trouble for three years.
The ruling closes a case that had figured in the concern about violence at youth sporting events. In the weeks after the encounter, Pivec, who volunteered as an assistant coach, was barred from Anne Arundel County sports leagues and two head coaches were disciplined.
Members of the football league then lobbied unsuccessfully for the resignation of county recreation and parks Director Dennis Callahan, who in turn reorganized the county-managed football program.
Pivec's lawyer, Michael L. May, said yesterday that his client was grateful to put behind him a case that had placed great strain on his family. Among other setbacks, May said, the case led to a mutual decision by Pivec and the Annapolis dealership where he sold cars that "he'd be better off elsewhere."
Rory Fracasse Sr., the father of the 15-year-old victim and coach of the Riviera Beach Buccaneers football team, said he thought the penalty was too lenient for an assault that left his son, Rory Jr., with injuries.
