A Fayette County tee-ball coach was ordered to stand trial today after a player testified the coach offered him money to hurt an autistic teammate with a baseball.

At the conclusion of the hearing in Uniontown, District Judge Deborah Kula said there was sufficient evidence to hold Mark Downs Jr. of Dunbar on all charges.

Keith Reese, 8, said Downs offered him $25 to hit Harry Bowers, 9, with a ball during warmups before a game on June 27. Keith said he threw a ball that bounced and hit Harry in the groin, making Harry cry.

Keith said Downs told him to go back and hit Harry in the head. When the warmup resumed, Keith hit Harry in the left ear.

Keith's father, also named Keith Reese, testified he believed that Downs didn't want Harry to play.

Downs has maintained that he didn't order anyone to throw at the boy.

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.