Parents and children were stunned after a violent brawl broke out between an umpire and a coach during a youth baseball game in Rosemead.
The fight occurred at Rosemead Park Fields on Aug. 24 as dozens of children and families were watching the tournament.
Witnesses said the assistant coach had approached the umpire multiple times, visibly upset about a call in a previous play. When the umpire ejected him from the game, the coach reportedly spat in the umpire’s face and yelled, “You’re a f***ing little b****!”
The umpire dragged the coach to the ground and attempted to kick him before both men attacked each other as they scuffled on the ground. Bystanders ran over to break up the fight as stunned children and parents looked on.
“When you feel threatened, instincts just come into play,” said Don De Grazia, a man who spoke on behalf of the umpire. “He’s an exceptional young man. He served in the military. He’s a professional athlete himself.”
The youth baseball organizer, Herman Baca, released a statement saying, “Unfortunately, an umpire and coach fought during a game this past Sunday. Both parties were removed from the game and local enforcement arrived to handle this matter.
After authorities soothed things out, the day continued and kids played ball. It’s a classy competitive game and sportsmanship is key and should always be passed along through generations and followed.”
“I think it’s unacceptable that he was doing that in front of little kids, 12-year-olds,” said Alejandro Alfaro, a resident who saw video of the brawl.
“I feel like, just every adult, in general you’re taking care of a team,” another neighbor said. “You should be a leader, an example.”
Both men were cited by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and are now facing misdemeanor charges.
The post Brawl breaks out between coach and umpire at youth baseball game in Rosemead appeared first on KTLA.
