Peterson | Clowning around on bus costs Royals services of slugging star

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Jody Peterson took an unfortunate ribbing from one of his Fredericton Peterbilt DQ Royals teammates last week.

En route to a game at Chatham last Thursday, Peterson popped a rib.

"It was a harmless accident," said Peterson, the New Brunswick Senior Baseball League's reigning Triple Crown winner. "I was in a seat on the bus next to Stevie (McCarty) and he just kind of grabbed me by my side to shove me over and my bottom rib popped out. That was painful."

Peterson, who spent the night in the Miramichi Regional Hospital, says he's "definitely out" for the rest of the regular season, but is hoping he heals in time to accompany the team to the senior nationals Aug. 21-24 in Brandon, Man.

The Royals lead the senior circuit with a 16-4 won-loss mark with two weeks remaining in the regular season.

Fredericton skipper Steve Hicks says the mishap was avoidable."Two boys clowning around," Hicks said. "They've been doing the same thing for 25 years. I don't know when they'll ever learn. They were wrestling on the bus. It's one of those freak things that should never happen, but it did."

"If I hiccup, sneeze or cough, I feel like someone's stabbing me," said Peterson, who's hitting .279 with 12 hits in 43 at bats. He has four home runs (one back of leader Derek Wilson of Chatham) and 14 RBIs. Sophomore outfielder Ryan Corey, who's hitting .360 (9-for-25) should benefit most from Peterson's absence.

"We've been using everyone pretty much all year anyway," Hicks said, "but Ryan has stepped up the last two weeks and is hitting the ball really well, so he's getting some extra playing time."

The Royals host the Chatham Ironmen tonight and the Saint John Alpines on Friday, both 7:30 starts on Baseball Hill. They play in Moncton Sunday night beginning at 7 o'clock.