Former SF Giant’s case returns to state court

July 28, 2021 — Federal district court judge Saundra Brown Armstrong today adopted the position staked out by firm lawyers Randy Erlewine and Mike Levinson on behalf of former San Francisco Giants outfielder Mac Williamson, returning his complaint against the owner and operator of Oracle Park to state court.

Mac sued the ballpark late last year, contending that its inclusion of on-field bullpens created an unreasonable and unnecessary risk of harm, leading to Mac’s sustaining serious and career-ending injuries when he crashed into the bullpen mound and collided headfirst into the left field line wall while running full speed to catch a foul ball.  The ballpark responded by removing Mac’s state court complaint to federal court, arguing that his claims were preempted by Major League Baseball’s collective bargaining agreement. 

Judge Armstrong found that those arguments “have no merit,” primarily because the ballpark is not a party to MLB’s collective bargaining agreement. “Put simply,” the court wrote, the ballpark “makes no credible argument that it is encompassed within the term ‘Club’” under that agreement. Related arguments were dispatched in similar fashion as “unpersuasive” and “misplaced.” Judge Armstrong ordered the case returned “forthwith” to the San Francisco Superior Court. Further proceedings in that court are expected shortly.