Joey Casselberry was a star first baseman on the Bloomsburg University baseball team…until he used social media to express a vile thought to describe 14-year-old Mo’ne Davis, generally regarded as America’s sweetheart.
Casselberry, for some odd reason, was not happy that Disney plans to make a film about the teenager who became the first female to throw a shutout and win a Little League World Series game against boys. Davis will reportedly be starring in the film, Throw Like Mo.
In a tweet Casselberry called Davis a “slut.”
That word got him kicked off the team.
Bloomsburg announced the dismissal of the junior first baseman on Twitter, and said it was “deeply saddened” by Casselberry’s tweet, noting “his words do not represent Bloomsburg University.”
His words, however, do represent a culture of hatred that often rears its head in social media. The insults are quickly removed, but not before they have already done damage. In this case, Casselberry derailed a promising career and his image.
Davis’ image is of a mature young lady with a good mind. And apparently heart, too, because she told TMZ she wishes Casselberry is reinstated. I know right now he’s really hurt … everyone deserves a second chance.”
Casselberry broke almost every offensive record at Methacton High School, near Philadelphia, earning
All-Southeast Pennsylvania honors. He was a three-year player in the Carpenter Cup at Citizens Bank Park, and led Methacton deep into the District One Class AAAA tournament during his senior year.
Before his Twitter account was deactivated, Casselberry apologized, writing: “An example that one stupid tweet can ruin someone’s life and I couldn’t be more sorry about my actions last night. I please ask you to forgive me and truly understand that I am in no way shape or form a sexist and I am a huge fan of Mo’ne. She was quite an inspiration.”
Davis has been a pristine representative of the sport and herself since last summer.
Davis appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated, which named her the “SportsKid of the Year.” Just last week, HarperCollins Children’s Books published Mo’ne Davis: Remember My Name, which the teen wrote with Hilary Beard.
Neither she nor her family have commented on Casselberry’s tweet.
