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Former batboy sues Omar Vizquel alleging sexual harassment

Vizquel-Domestic Violence Baseball
Posted at 5:51 PM, Aug 12, 2021
and last updated 2021-08-12 17:51:12-04

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — A former minor league batboy has filed a lawsuit accusing longtime major league shortstop Omar Vizquel of sexual harassment during Vizquel's tenure as manager of the Birmingham Barons, an affiliate of the Chicago White Sox.

The 25-year-old man filed suit in U.S. District Court in Alabama, accusing the 11-time Gold Glove winner of exposing himself multiple times and forcing the man to wash his back in the shower in 2019.

The suit says the man is autistic and accuses the White Sox and Double-A Birmingham Barons of violating the Americans With Disabilities Act.

According to the lawsuit, the man says 54-year-old Vizquel exposed himself to him at least on five occasions while wearing a towel “for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification," the Associated Press reported.

The AP reported that the man did wash Vizquel's back but did not return to work after that.

According to the lawsuit, the man's supervisors and other coaches on the team laughed when they were informed of the alleged behavior towards him.

Major League Baseball investigated last year after allegations made by Vizquel's wife accused him of domestic abuse. He died the allegations, USA Today reported.