A veteran youth umpire in Georgia was assaulted by a coach this week during an 18-and-under national championship game.
According to Fox 5 Atlanta, 77-year-old Fred Miller, who has spent more 20 years officiating games, had just ejected a player who repeatedly cursed at him, when the player's coach confronted him about the same play. Miller said he told the coach he did not see the play, and as he walked away the coach punched him in the back.
"In my many years of umpiring, I've never had a confrontation where somebody would threaten me or punch me," Miller told Fox.
The incident happened at Milton High School's field, but the event was not sanctioned by the school, as the field had been rented out by Perfect Game.
"We're doing the best possible job we can do those players that we had on Sunday were 18-and-under players. This was a World Series," Miller said. "These are some of the best 18-and-under players in the whole country."
Perfect Game released a statement that reads:
"While we intend to launch a full investigation into this incident, Perfect Game condemns any type of physical assault on an umpire or any other field personnel or those attending our events. These actions are reprehensible and undermine the integrity of sportsmanlike conduct and the family-friendly atmosphere that should always surround a youth sports event. Perfect Game prides itself on fostering a safe environment that promotes respect for others and will not tolerate these types of incidents."
"When a coach hits an umpire, the repercussions need to be serious," Miller said.
Perfect Game said the coach has now been suspended, and the Fulton County Schools Police Department is investigating.
Miller is seeking a warrant for he man's arrest.
"We want to make sure this does not happen to another umpire," he said. "That coaches take a deep breath, and they understand there's consequences to their actions."
