Man to take class after throwing bottle at Phillies' Howard

PHILADELPHIA (AP) A Delaware man accused of throwing a beer bottle near Philadelphia Phillies player Ryan Howard has appeared in court.

Sidney Smith, of Wilmington, Delaware, was cited for disorderly conduct after the June 4 incident, and turned himself in last week.

The 21-year-old Smith on Tuesday chose to enter a special diversionary program. He must complete a class next month and pay a $200 fine. His record would then be expunged.

Smith had no comment.

Howard has been struggling all season. He was baseball's most valuable player in 2006 and helped the Phillies win a World Series in 2008.