Children injured in money-drop promotion

COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. – Two children were injured in a scramble to grab cash being dropped from a helicopter as part of a promotion after a minor league baseball game.

About $1,000 in cash was dropped Saturday from the helicopter over Fifth Third Ballpark’s outfield as children lined the outfield fence.

After the cash was dropped, the children scrambled. A 7-year-old boy was trampled and taken to a hospital, while a 7-year-old girl got a bloody lip after being pushed onto the ground.

The boy, Tino Rodriquez, of Grant, suffered bruises to his chest and back, said his grandmother, Rita Rodriquez.

The cash drop took place after the West Michigan Whitecaps’ 3-0 win over the Southwest Michigan Devil Rays. It was the first time the Class A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers had conducted such a promotion.

“It’s for fun and games,” spokeswoman Katie Kroft said. “This is why we have everybody sign a waiver.”

Tino’s grandfather, Ruben Rodriquez, said he was surprised children as young as 5 were allowed to participate with others as old as 12.

“It was tiny kids against big kids,” he said. “It’s like playing football. You can’t put a 12-year-old versus a 7-year-old.”