Umpire attacked

[umpduck11]

What a tragically unfortunate incident for all involved,
particularly the official. Kudos to him for filing charges
against his attacker.
I cannot help but wonder if behavior such as this is
emboldened by what seems to me to be a deteriorating
respect of umpires from fans in attendance of games. The
comments from the peanut gallery lately seem more vitriolic,
caustic,and down-right nasty. I understand the necessity of
ignoring things you hear from the crowd, but you DO hear them.
I never react to them, except recently when a guy cussed and
threatened me, but lately even blue-hairs have been ugly to my
partners and myself.
I suppose if you paid your pittance for entry, you're free to bash
whomever and whatever you desire. I find it sad, at best.