Newly released police reports say Eastern New Mexico University baseball coaches advised players not to cooperate with police trying to arrest them after a brawl
The Portales News-Tribune reports that coaches told players not to say anything until the officers produced arrest warrants in connection with an off-campus fight April 27.
Seventeen players were arrested May 3 on suspicion of disorderly conduct as a result of a fight at a Portales student housing complex.
One report says a player attempted to leave the arrest attempt and when an officer tried to restrain him, the player "lunged" at the officer. The report says the officer had to restrain him, and players and coaches alleged the officer choked the player.
The players — nearly half of the team — each posted bail after being arrested.
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Information from: Portales News-Tribune, http://www.pntonline.com
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