N.Y. man attacked with bat, police say

The Red Sox beat the Yankees on Friday in the Bronx, but that didn't seem to satisfy a group of rowdy young people in Falmouth who attacked a family driving home from a Fourth of July fireworks display. Their reason, police said: The car had New York plates, and their attackers presumed they were Yankee fans.

As the annual beachside fireworks show was letting up about 10 p.m., traffic congestion turned side streets into parking lots as thousands tried to leave. The New York family was stuck on Worcester Court when police say a group started yelling at them, accusing them of being Yankees fans.

According to police, the man driving the car stepped out and asked the group to stop because there were children in the car. That's when police said Robert D. Correia, 20, pulled out a baseball bat and attacked the driver while another young man slammed his body into the car, denting a side door.

The victim, who was not named, sustained bruised ribs.

Correia, of Falmouth, was arrested and charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and malicious destruction of a motor vehicle. He will be arraigned in Falmouth District Court tomorrow. Police said they may also seek charges against others in his group.

"I think it's terrible. It's supposed to be a happy night, a night we should all be very, very proud to be Americans," said Nancy Johnson, who lives just a few blocks away. "I think it's tragic when something like that happens. Falmouth is a wonderful town. We have a great deal of community spirit."

John Guilfoil can be reached at jguilfoil@globe.com. Globe correspondent Gabrielle Dunn contributed to this report.