Former Major League Baseball pitcher Bradley Thomas to defend allegation of assault

A former Major League Baseball pitcher charged with assault in Sydney’s eastern suburbs will defend the allegation in a two-day hearing.

Former MLB player Bradley Richard Thomas leaving Waverley Local Court on Friday, July 26 with his lawyer.

A former Major League Baseball pitcher charged with assault in Sydney’s eastern suburbs will defend the allegation in a two-day hearing.

Former Minnesota Twins and Detroit Tigers player Bradley Richard Thomas appeared at Waverley Local Court after he was charged with common assault.

The 46-year-old Bondi Beach man has pleaded not guilty to the charge and was set to defend the allegation in a hearing on Friday, however, the court heard the original two-hour estimate had blown out to “one to two days”.

Police allege in court documents Thomas assaulted a person in July last year at Bondi Beach.

He was apprehended almost two months later.

At first glance, Magistrate Jacqueline Milledge said there was “ample time for the defence” to raise any issues at an earlier date.

Police prosecutor sergeant Paul Henningham said there had been issues with police communication and the defence, detailing how “two separate officers” being listed as the officer in charge.

Bradley Thomas pitching for the Sydney Blue Sox.

He said it “perhaps led to a situation” where the defence struggled to seek material relating to the charge.

Thomas’ barrister said a mini brief of evidence hadn’t been served on the defence for nine months, outlining how his client was previously self-represented.

He told the court he would need to cross-examine a “witness at length”.

Ms Milledge ultimately adjourned the matter to next week to seek a two-day hearing date at the Downing Centre Local Court.

Thomas first played in the MLB in 2001 for the Minnesota Twins with his last appearance in the league a decade later for the Detroit Tigers.

The left-handed pitcher also had stints in the Japanese Baseball League, Australian Baseball League and the Chinese Professional Baseball League while also representing Australia in the 2000 Sydney Olympics.