Assault
 

So I'm calling a JAM (Junior Athletics of the Midwest) game yesterday, 6th grade boys feeder team. 2nd half when the game is out of reach, the coach of the losing team says "you are cheating my kids" Tweet - no question I gotta stick him.

Coach then steps to me & calls me every name in the book (racial & swear words) Tweet-tweet I run his a$$. After the game the kids shake hands, coach enters the gym & has more choice words for me "F you b!%&%" I have had more than enough at this point, "you know what coach F you too".

He squared up threw a right cross which caught me flush in the left jaw. I'm shocked more than anything, no stumble no fall just kind of shook it off & (to my surprise) maintained my composure & walked away to find the gym supervisor. I wanted to go CHI on him sooooooooooooooo bad, but I wasn't hurt (just my pride) so I left, filed a police report & investigations are underway! The GM of the league called me & was super apologetic about it, other officials called to check on me, area directors for our HS association called me... I have yet to hear from the assignor. Needless to say, I wont be working for that assignor EVER again.

I never thought it would be me, especially at that level of play. My only concern now is the next time I run into those individuals. I ref players at the MS, HS & Pro-AM level who are affiliated with that organization which by the way won the State Championship this year... I have to deal with the fact that people are going to say I got hit & didn't do anything, I'm a snitch because I went to police (ugh) it's gonna be tough in the hood for me this summer!

Way to hang in there. Don't let the rats get to you.

Big ups for filling in the police reports. You did that nor only for yourself, but for the benefit of all of us. Thank you!

OUCH! What a jerk! I hope you have witnesses and they throw his a$$ in jail!! Good you didn't fight back....but a shame you had to stoop to his level in the verbal abuse side....

It's easy for us to play "Monday Morning Quarterback", but one never knows what one will do unless faced with the situation.
Good luck and let us know how the saga unfolds this summer and beyond.

Before anyone comes on and tells you this is all your fault for telling the twit to "F off," I want to say that there's a breaking point in all of us and the coach found yours. This was HIS fault -- he was persistent, profane, and in the end he committed assault (verbal and physical) and battery. He should get to spend a few hours in jail getting bailed out. There is no excuse for someone coming back after a game and act like he has some kind of special right to give you abuse because of a job you've already completed.

This is another reason why we should make sure we're in a good situation when working rec leagues. I walked away from one when we had an end of game situation with a lot of ejections and I didn't seem to get a level of support from the supervisors I needed. That was 4 years ago. This year, they ended up having to cancel the league midseason because of a major brawl.

Might be a good idea to run that one by the Illinois Human Rights Commission too. This particular clown shouldn't be anywhere near kids. Or human beings.

You might want to mention to the D.A. about the prior racial remarks. Maybe he can prosecute this as a "hate crime". If found guilty, the guy would be saying "bye bye" for quite a long time. Let's see how he feels about "wearing the stripes".

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Actually, Ch1town is closer to me. He's one of those Ex-patriotic Illini, having moved to Bronco country.

Good you're getting the support you should. If and when I decide to start officiating in Denver, I'll get the applicable assigner's name from you so I can make sure not to work for him in the future.

I agree with Rich. Coach's premeditated verbal assault would probably have led most officials to tell him to self-consumate. Well done on re-gaining your composure after the punch.

Hey Ch1town, are these JAM games reffed alone? I didn't hear you mention a partner. Just curious...did you have a partner?

Nice job...............I'd be talking to an attorney along with the police report.

Good for you for not swinging back. I would imagine this said orginization has seen this movie before with this coach. I wouldn't be surprised if he's gone.

Thanks for the feedback all!

I wish I didn't stoop to his level when I dropped the F bomb at the same time I'm proud of myself for not going CHI on him. I thank God that growing up in the city made me tough & I've always been able to take a lickin & keep on tickin!!!

To answer a few questions:

My partner was taking a verbal lashing from several fans as the incident occured. I don't fault him at all...

The league was shocked about the coaches behavior. They are receiving numerous emails today from biased spectators of said game & unbiased spectators from the following game who witnessed the incident.

I've received a couple of prank calls on the cell today, so I have contacted all of my assignors to change my physical address to a PO Box as I have a wife & daughter to think of.

Although, my ultimate goal is to change this avocation to a career (so I don't have to work these BS off-season games) I'm seriously considering hanging it up... it's just not worth it!!

UN-FRIGGIN REAL! It is so sad what some in our society have come to....over a game! I hope you don't hangem up. We need more who stand by their principles. Good luck and best wishes to you and your family. Your priorities are in the right order.

I had an incident with a coach last yr (doesn't compare to yours though obviously) that really depressed me and made me think about why do we do this? I'm glad I stuck it out as it turned out it was just one incident. Hang in there!!

We are human first, officials a distant second. I never expect a human being to take getting assaulted or called all kinds of names and just walk away without a comment or response.

Peace

Hang in there. I'm with all the other officials that will applaud you for how you handled this assault. File the police report, contact an attorney and do what you need to do to protect you and your family. I can only hope that this coach will be removed by his own parents and league.

keep us informed as to what happens.

Don't hang up the whistle!

I would be horrified if he isn't.

I can only hope if I was put in the same situation as you, I could react as well as you did. Maintaning your composure must have been a challenge, to say the least. The ability to do that says a lot about your character.

The league is saying when all checks out in the investigation he is done for the season (7 weeks)... :rolleyes:

For the season? Good grief. Why bother? A$s hole should be banned for life from this league for punching a referee.

Seems a bit pusillanimous.

Where was game/facility management? I had a similar verbal exchange with a fan who came on the court after a game a few years ago at a state level AAU game. But in my case security jumped right in when the spectator attempted to make a move towards me. And they walked me (and my son) out to my car.

Whoever was in charge of your particular venue may have some liability exposure should you decide to pursue this matter in civil court.

You should set your phone to not accept calls that don't display caller I.D. and keep a log of the numbers of those who call. Also, if you don't recognize the caller I.D., let the call go to voice mail. If the morons are dumb enough to leave a message, save it. The police will be very interested.

[QUOTE=Ch1town]Thanks for the feedback all!

I wish I didn't stoop to his level when I dropped the F bomb at the same time I'm proud of myself for not going CHI on him. I thank God that growing up in the city made me tough & I've always been able to take a lickin & keep on tickin!!!

To answer a few questions:

My partner was taking a verbal lashing from several fans as the incident occured. I don't fault him at all...

The league was shocked about the coaches behavior. They are receiving numerous emails today from biased spectators of said game & unbiased spectators from the following game who witnessed the incident.

I've received a couple of prank calls on the cell today, so I have contacted all of my assignors to change my physical address to a PO Box as I have a wife & daughter to think of.

Although, my ultimate goal is to change this avocation to a career (so I don't have to work these BS off-season games) I'm seriously considering hanging it up... it's just not worth it!![/QUOTE]
Hang in there. Don't even think about giving it up!!! I had 2 incidents early in my career that made me contemplate whether it was worth it. Thankfully I stuck with it with encouragement from many.

First of all...I concur that we all have a breaking point. As for what some of these folks will think about you for getting hit and not retaliating and thinking you are a snitch......F! THAT...you did the right thing and you know it.....Perhaps you shouldn't have dropped the F! Bomb on him, but like I already said, we all have a breaking point. The physical altercation was completely uncalled for and SENSIBLE folks would do the same thing.

I'd have been on the phone to my attorney before I left the gym....Clowns like this don't deserve to be coaching kids....

Sorry this had to happen man...

Correct. Somehow the venue/host has to be vicariously liable for the actions that occurred.

Actually, what was described in the OP is battery. Battery is the offensive or harmful contact of another without his or her express or implied consent. If the suspect threatened battery (saying he was going to kick your a**), then you have assault.

Make this joker pay for your child's education!

I know everyone here would like to see this coach drawn and quartered, but there is almost no chance of him being charged with anything but misdemeanor assault, and even that might be tough because Chi dropped an F-bomb. By cursing the guy, Chi may as well have clocked him back from a legal perspective, wrong as that may seem. If he fears for his lafe/safety, he is within his rights to defend himself.

As wrong as and maddening as it may be, the best response to any of this stuff is no response. You either take the high road the whole way, or it makes no difference. If you respond to verbal taunts and then get hit, you will have witnesses on the other side saying you provoked the attack, which will make "justice" very difficult to get. If you get cursed out, get away and notify everyone of the behavior to get the coach banned.

Hope this guy gets more than 7 months. Pretty sad if this guy gets to coach again.

<strike>And there's confirmation. You're an idiot.</strike>
Edited. After further reflection, this doesn't belong in a thread discussing the benefits of restraint.

For someone who cries about the media commenting on basketball officiating, that is a fascinating comment. You ought to change your name to Gottlieb. :D

You have a flair for the obvious....he already said in hindsight he wishes he didn't swear back. And It does make a difference that he walked away after the loser struck him.

Are you commenting on a response from someone who should be known as "The Ignoracle"? :D

The Ignoracle is definitely old school.

Maybe the Trollacle would be a more appropriate name.

Morally, it was the right thing to do to walk away. It takes a big person to do that. I only wanted to point out to the folks who want the book thrown at the coach or for Chi to bring a civil suit against the coach that none of that will be fruitful within the legal system. The coach may pay a small fine based on a misdemeanor but never go to jail, and never lose a civil case.

Sue The Pants Off Him ...
 

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Seriously, contact an attorney.

I have no further questions your honor.........

California (Basketball) – Dontravian Evans, 29, received a sentence of nine months in jail following his felony assault conviction for punching a referee at a recreational basketball game in Long Beach. In addition to the jail sentence, Evans received three years probation and must pay $3,400 to the victim, referee Kevin Robinson, for medical bills. The incident happened on 9/13/00, early in the game when the score was only 2-0. Evans, who was upset about a call, struck Robinson when he was looking at the scorers' table. Robinson didn't see the punch coming. The blow caused permanent damage to Robinson's eye. (September 2002)

Circumstances there are quite different, my friend. I'm sure Chi will let everyone know how his situation turns out, and I hope that coach gets banned forever from coaching basketball.

First, I'm not your friend. Secondly, why are they different? An official gets punched. Pretty cut and dry.

How's this one then......

BASKETBALL – Eighteen-year-old Ryan Clark, Temecula, Calif., will spend a year behind bars for punching a basketball referee during a 2003 youth game. Clark pleaded guilty to assault with great bodily injury and two other unrelated misdemeanors Jan. 28, 2004, at the Southwest Justice Center in French Valley. The sentence was part of a plea deal in which three other charges were dropped. In addition to jail-time, Clark must serve three years of probation, attend anger counseling and he can’t go to any athletic events without his parole officer. The victim, referee Todd Hombs, said in court that the punch left him with a slightly dislocated jaw and that he had headaches for six months after the blow.

I can't believe I'm going to defend Oracle, but...these are different circumstances. That was a sucker-punch that resulted in permanent injury. Ch1's was a punch coming out of a confrontation that, as far as Ch1 has indicated, has had no lasting impact.

That said, I'm certainly not saying that Ch1 doesn't have a case. Just that the circumstances are indeed different.

I hope this is his parole officer.

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I don't think Ch1 has legal representation yet and the effects of a punch to the jaw may surface later if his attorney is any good.

How's this work for you......no jail time but a few drachma, another area the the oracle claims can't happen.

BASKETBALL - A basketball referee was punched by a player from Samuel Hancock Christian School, Redding, California, following an ejection and subsequent argument with the player's aunt. The incident ended up in a civil, out of court settlement of $43,500. The were no criminal charges filed. (11/8/97)

You physically assault someone and you're going to pay, no matter where you are.

Worse yet, his cell mate. "I'm your new hubby"

I'm with you, 100%. This guy was wrong and should - and most likely will - pay in some way (financially, maybe; criminally, most likely).

But each and every circumstance is different and each state has different laws that apply, especially in terms of civil liability.

You missed the point..........you attack an official and there are consequences that can involve jail time along compensation.

Every case is different.................obviously.:eek:

No, I didn't.

The circumstances were quite different between the two incidents. That's all I was saying.

Horrible story, I hope he gets what he deserves.

Some states have special laws that increase the punishment if the assaultee is an official, not sure which jurisdictions have that kind of clause though.

That's all I said, too. Personally, I think it would be great if that coach lost every penny he had for being a hothead and hitting someone over words after a basketball game. Or spend some time in County jail.

Sucker punch that causes major injury without verbal provocation? Ca-ching. Not this. Don't waste your time and efforts, Chi. Let it run its course through the criminal court, try and get the coach/team/program banned or sanctioned, and move on with life.

You could be right, but there's no way for you to know this for sure. Chi should at least consult a reputable attorney with experience in this kind of civil suit. It's possible he could win big time with the right attorney in the right venue. And it would be worth winning small if only as a warning to other hot-head folks who might think twice in the future before they hit a defenseless official who was only doing their job.

Verbal response is not the same as physical battery. Verbal response does not justify physical battery. Otherwise, Ch1town could have just punched the coach the first time he said, "F you, B$!%#"

Coach deserves jail time and civil penalties. A 7 game suspension is just stupid and gutless.

You are 100% correct. There is a chance he could win a civil suit. What you are not thinking about is the set of witnesses that the coach will bring in. They will say how Chi baited the coach during the game. They will say how Chi went at the coach, dropped and F-bomb, and looked like he was about to hit him first. They'll say the coach was worried for his safety. It will all be blatant lies and huge exaggerations and the judge or jury will almost always throw it out. The flip side? In criminal court, the coach threw the punch after verbal provocation, didn't cause a major injury. Worst case? He'll plead to misdemeanor assault, get fined, and may get probation. Nothing Chi can do about that, and that's the market price in our court system today for what he described.

The coach is 100% wrong and should be punished worse than that. I agree with all of you on that point. Chances of that occurring are very slim.

BTW, I love the right attorney in the right venue idea. Right out of John Grisham! :D

Well, I"m not going to argue legal strategy, but my experience as a defendant as a plaintiff in court is that the right lawyer can counter that whole "poor coach" routine without any problem. I'm not saying Chi should definitely file a civil suit but he should without question make it look very serious as a possibility, by consulting a lawyer, and threatening. Don't let the coach think he's got a chance to win.

I'm sorry you have experiences in court as a plaintiff and/or defendant! I wouldn't wish that on anyone! ;)

The coach already lost. He will almost certainly get dinged on a misdemeanor if Chi presses charges, and if he gets probation, trust me, that cannot be fun. It will be demeaning and humiliating.

Remind me not to send my grandkids to the same law school TheIgnoracle obviously went to. I think it was the "Bobby Fuller I Fought The Law School".

Rainmaker, you make a rational point here. However, I don't think people who punch sports officials are rational people and thus I doubt they would heed this (or any other) "warning." Sadly.

Having said that, it's at least worthy of consulting with an attorney.

Again, a flair for the obvious.

[QUOTE=TheOracle]You are 100% correct. There is a chance he could win a civil suit.

Morally, it was the right thing to do to walk away. It takes a big person to do that. I only wanted to point out to the folks who want the book thrown at the coach or for Chi to bring a civil suit against the coach that none of that will be fruitful within the legal system. The coach may pay a small fine based on a misdemeanor but never go to jail, and never lose a civil case.

Geesh...........make up your mind will ya.

You ask too much.

Ha!

A Friendly Bloodsucker
 

I have a close friend who is a professional bloodsucker. So I give him this sitch and his eyes light up . He asks if it happened to someone I knew. I broke his heart and told him it happened in the midwest .

He believed it was a no brainer no lose deal. Cases like this are settled out of court all of the time. The whole deep pockets thing makes it a profitable deal.

SO hire a professional bloodsucker and go with it.

OK, I stopped reading in the middle and skipped to the end, so I probably missed this in here somewhere - isn't assaulting a sports official a felony in your state Chi??? I know here in Washington State it is considered a Class C Felony, so all this talk about a misdemeanor and a small fine wouldn't happen here - it counts big time. Probably no jail time, but a felony record and all that brings with it...

rockyroad, be thankful that your State Legislature passed a "Referee Assault" bill. According to NASO I think only 16 or so States have done so. Our state has not. So a "single punch" assault will result in very little criminal consequence. However I know an Lawyer in our office complex. According to him he would readily take the cas as described on a contingency basis as he said in our State this would be an easy "pay day"

A little research on the internet tells me that no, Colorado does not have any particular laws governing attacks on sports officials. I'm not confident, however, as the website I found doesn't mention Washington State as having felony laws for such offenses.

rockyroad, be thankful that your State Legislature passed a "Referee Assault" bill. According to NASO I think only 16 or so States have done so. Our state has not. So a "single punch" assault will result in very little criminal consequence. However I know an Lawyer in our office complex. According to him he would readily take the case as described on a contingency basis as he said in our State this would be an easy "pay day."

Oracle thinks the best you can do is sentence the guy to a month of no lattes at the local Starbucks

That would be serious torture!!!

Hey - based on their pricing, that could save him a couple of million bucks! :eek:

Chi doesn't need a lawer, he just needs to stay at a Holiday Inn Select!

Ok, seriously...what does Chi have to lose by contacting an atty....NOTHING...especially if you get one willing to do it on contingency. To me, it's not about the money, although you could stand to make a little coin off it. It's just the principle of the matter...You don't hit sports officials....Maybe it makes headlines and stops only ONE person from doing this....then it's worthy of Chi pressing the issue regardless of the outcome...

And maybe Junior Athletics of the Midwest (JAM) will do a better job of managing their venues.

You always embellish, It wouldn't be a penny over 10,000.

I can see the headline now - "Basketball Referee Gets JAMmed Up!"

Sometimes you want to forget that you are a referee and just beat the crap out of somebody!

Hey, as long as you don't plan on working that league ever again...... :D

UPDATE

Well the "coach" has been issued a summons to appear in court, he will NOT be coaching anymore this season.

I'm still receiving emails in my support from so many concerned parents via JAM.

I'm not looking for a get rich quick settlement, I like to earn mine. So I'm content with him having to be inconvenieced by going to court, paying any fines & losing the role of "coach".

I worked about 10 games since the incident & I believe I got my swagger back last night!! I'm just feeling like such a better person/official for exercising self-control. Afterall, we are held to a higher standard & how can I manage the emotions of 10 players & 2 coaches if I can't manage my own emotions. So I look at it as big test that I passed. I forgive the guy, I also learned a valuable lesson the hard way:
Keep distance between myself when a player/coach/fanatic is upset & headed in my direction!!

I realize that conflict comes with the territory, so I'll learn from it, move on, chalk it up as experience & continue my development. I LOVE THE GAME :D

Thanks for listening!

Nice!!! Well done. This guy is in charge of kids.......he pummels an official, someone in uniform, and he only gets suspended for the season?

Has the guy apologized to you?

Keep us informed.

Thank you for following through with the charges.....and not quitting.

The game needs you a helluva lot more than it needs coaches like that.

fullor30: Yep, just 7 weeks. Oh well I'll control what I can control release what I can't. No, I haven't heard from him nor am I looking to hear from him. I feel as though I've done my part by forgiving him... I'm not looking for apologies or external affirmations as that should come from within.

JR: Thanks man, it means alot to me to hear you say that! :D

IMO, I would expect at least an apology before I could forgive. Ch1, I am glad your not quitting.

I'm with Ch1. Forgiveness carries its own benefits for the forgiver. Requiring an apology first gives too much control to the offender.

I hear ya! But if forgive & forget w/out an apology was good enough for Jesus Christ it certainly works for me too.

NOTE: I'm not a religous freak, I just have a new outlook on the avocation :)

My Name Is Sue, How Do You Do ...
 

I repeat: I still say that you should, in terms of the legal system, be heading in this direction:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/165/3...59247d.jpg?v=0

Going out into public in a state of partial undress? :eek:

CHI - I love the attitude. I respect it, and strive to learn it (more than in just officiating, in my life as well). I would have been incredibly shaken up, and probably wouldn't have gotten back in the saddle for a long, long time (if ever). It's clearly worked for you, and that's a credit to the way you carry yourself.

Also, forgiving him is not only big of you, but seemingly best for you (regardless of whether he apologized or not). As long as you're not a pushover (and clearly not with you getting back to running games), it does you no good to let anger at someone consume you. It's terrific you were able to forgive him in this short time period...

Best of luck. I would love it if you kept updating.

p.s. I live in chicago, but never heard the term "going CHI" :)

Actually, the correct term is "going Molalla". :D