Incident in Texas HS Playoff Game

[umpirebob71]

I work the umpire position, and I definitely would press charges. That was clearly an assault.

[schmitty1973]

I wonder how the other officials reacted? I can't imagine being on that crew and having to keep my composer after something like that.

[GoodScout]

I agree with Umpirebob. I'd drag the little weasel into the criminal justice system for a while. I'm just shocked at this, and equally shocked that it hasn't gotten more media attention and condemnation.

What happened after the play? Did another member of the crew catch it? What were the ramifications, if any?

[JRutledge]

Honestly, I would not be surprised if the other officials did not see it or did not see the entire situation until they saw the tape. It happened so fast after the play, I could easily see fellow officials seeing the very end of the play.

What happen to the player in the game? It did not seem like the article talked about the results of the situation during the game. Was the official alright?

Peace

[waltjp]

Maybe I missed it, but was there a flag thrown on this play?

[bisonlj]

I can't imagine anyone saw anything during the play that would have resulted in anything at the time. No other official would be looking at that spot to see the whole thing happen. It's not unusual for an umpire to get hit by a linebacker so he probably didn't think anything of it at the time. On video though this guy didn't do a very good job disguising what he was doing. It would have been better for him had the play gone the other way but there is no way for him to plead "accident' based on what I saw.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by umpirebob71

I work the umpire position, and I definitely would press charges. That was clearly an assault.

Actually, it was clearly battery, a higher grade misdemeanor in most states. I hope the official was not seriously injured.

[BktBallRef]

I had a defender contact me this year, although it wasn't nearly as violent as this situation and I didn't come close to going down. But it made no sense that he would run into me based on the play. The BJ and I were both convinced it was intentional. I asked the defesnive coordinator which I have a pretty good relationship with to take a look at the film. He didn't feel it was intentional but at least we made him aware of it.

Does anyone know if any action has been taken against the player?

[waltjp]

Having worked as a U for many years I can say that it's entirely possible that the U had no idea what happened. You get battered around so often that it becomes a part of the game. If he wasn't told what happened by one of the other officials he probably didn't have a clue until he saw the video.

[BktBallRef]

I can't imagine that being the case, walt. Everybody on the field is going to the left when you're suddenly hit by a Mack truck moving in the opposite direction. Nope, I bet he had some realization of what happened.

[waltjp]

He may have suspected something was amiss but there's no way he'd know for sure without sensing something beforehand.

Just brings us back to my earlier question, did anyone throw a flag?

[BktBallRef]

I too would like to know the outcome. TXMike?

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

I can't imagine that being the case, walt. Everybody on the field is going to the left when you're suddenly hit by a Mack truck moving in the opposite direction. Nope, I bet he had some realization of what happened.

Euless Trinity football player disciplined for hit on official | Dallas/Fort Worth High School Sports | HS GameTime.com | Top Stories


The video, taken from two angles, is from the late stages of Allen's 34-21 win over Trinity in the Class 5A Division I Region I final Dec. 6 at Texas Stadium.


At the snap of the ball, the Trinity linebacker immediately runs to his right and knocks umpire Robert Rosales to the ground, even though Allen is running a play to the linebacker's left.




The game was officiated by members of the Houston chapter of the Texas Association of Sports Officials. Tommy Moore, the chapter's executive secretary, and other officials said they do not believe Rosales intends to pursue legal action. Rosales could not be reached for comment.

Moore said he doubts Rosales realized it was anything but incidental contact until he saw the game video.



"It's common for an official to get run into sometimes because there's a lot of action out there," Moore said. "But I've never seen anything like this video."

[ajmc]

Thank God it's never happened, but I made a promise a long time ago; If a player, coach or fan assaulted me on the field, sideline or after the game, I would do whatever necessary to see that they spent that night in jail, and would pursue it as far as possible.

I have always thought I owe that to everyone else wearing stripes. In my book, striking an official is right below smacking your mother. You just can't go there, ever.

[Ed Hickland]

Originally Posted by waltjp

Moore said he doubts Rosales realized it was anything but incidental contact until he saw the game video.



"It's common for an official to get run into sometimes because there's a lot of action out there," Moore said. "But I've never seen anything like this video."

I'm sure Mr. Rosales is a fine official and took the contact in stride but there needs to be a STRONG message sent that officials are not fair game and this type of action is not going to be taken politely.