UNIONTOWN, Pa. -- A T-ball coach accused of offering money to bean a challenged player in the head with a baseball was ordered Thursday to stand trial on all charges.

Mark Downs, 27, of Dunbar, Fayette County, appeared at a preliminary hearing on charges of solicitation to commit aggravated assault, corruption of minors and reckless endangerment. He did not speak to reporters.

State police allege that Downs offered $25 for someone to throw at Harry Bowers, an autistic 9-year-old, because he didn't want Bowers to play in a June 27 game in North Union Township.

Keith Reese testified that his 8-year-old son, Keith Jr., was instructed to warm up with Bowers before the game. Bowers has several disabilities and can barely catch, and he got hit by the younger Reese's throw during warmups, the man said.

Bowers left the field crying, and his mother and coach decided to sit him out of the game, but Keith Reese Jr. testified that it was all designed by the coach.

"He (Downs) told me to warm up with Harry," Reese Jr. said. "He said he would pay me $25 if I hit him in the face."

On his first throw, the ball bounced off the ground and hit Bowers in the groin, Reese Jr. said. Downs then told him to throw at Bowers again, much harder, the boy said.

After the game, Downs allegedly admitted to Reese's father what had happened.

"He said he did something ignorant and offered Keithy $25 to hit Harry in the face to take him out of the game," Reese Sr. said.

Outside the courtroom, Reese Sr. said he felt "terrible" about his son's involvement with the allegedly intentional act.

"It happened. It really happened," he said.

Defense attorney Thomas Shaffer claims that the Reeses are mistaken in their testimony.

"I'm not saying they lied. I am saying they have their facts wrong. They contradicted themselves several times," Shaffer said.

Downs has not been suspended and is still a coach in the league, according to Shaffer.

Downs is free on his own recognizance as he awaits trial. Arraignment is scheduled for Sept. 15.