High school baseball players sacrificed chickens in apparent performance ritual, say Texas cops

(CBS/AP) BENBROOK, Texas - Baseball season means...the crack of the bat...get your peanuts here!... sacrificing live chickens?

Police say two high school baseball players near Fort Worth, Texas are accused of killing baby chicks in what was believed to be a ritual to improve their on-field performance.

Both are charged with cruelty to livestock animals.

Benbrook Police Sgt. John Van Ness said Wednesday the case has been turned over to a Tarrant County juvenile court, where a decision will be made on whether to prosecute.

Police in the Fort Worth suburb say the players, 15 and 16, "engaged in acts that caused the death of two baby chickens" - and superstition about a slump in baseball performance could have played a part.

Western Hills High School baseball coach Bobby McIntire told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that "baseball is very superstitious" and the idea possibly came from sports movies.

School officials say the boys have been kicked off the team.