Incident in Texas HS Playoff Game

[Brett]

Originally Posted by umpirebob71

Why in the world would he not file charges? He was assaulted. As was alluded to above, allowing this sort of thing to go unpunished, simply emboldens others to try the same thing.

I know this won't be popular, but I don't know that I would press charges either.

1. I simply don't believe it emboldens others to try the same. This kid will be on youtube for millennia as an example of how not to behave. Do you really think charging a kid with misdemeanor assault in TX is going to stop a 17 year old kid in Oregon from committing misdemeanor assault in the heat of the moment? Please.

2. I'm an adult that realizes that "kids" occasionally make mistakes. I don't think there is anything that the criminal justice system is going to teach him that he hasn't already learned at this point.

3. I simply don't demand a "pound of flesh" for a "pound of flesh". Some might deem that weak - I disagree. In this situation, I don't know that I'd feel wronged enough to tag a "kid" with a (deserved) record.


I respect and understand the argument on the other side. I guess I just don't find this situation to be as black and white as some.

[TXMike]

1 - I dont care what it would do for kids in Oregon I know it would have an effect in Texas and that is what i care about

2 - Then you do not know the "teaching power" of the CJ system

3 - The "record" will only be a misdemeanor and will have no effect on his future employabilty He could even become a FBI Agent if this was his only transgression.

[OverAndBack]

In my day, you wouldn't have had to worry about what the criminal justice system would have done. What your father would have done to you would have sufficed. Sadly, strong parenting is in short supply anymore.

[Ed Hickland]

Originally Posted by Brett

I know this won't be popular, but I don't know that I would press charges either.

1. I simply don't believe it emboldens others to try the same. This kid will be on youtube for millennia as an example of how not to behave. Do you really think charging a kid with misdemeanor assault in TX is going to stop a 17 year old kid in Oregon from committing misdemeanor assault in the heat of the moment? Please.

Well if the kid in Oregon or anywhere else follows this example he should be so duly punished.

2. I'm an adult that realizes that "kids" occasionally make mistakes. I don't think there is anything that the criminal justice system is going to teach him that he hasn't already learned at this point.

What the criminal justice system will teach him is what happens when you make a mistake. Obviously, he has not completed his education in right and wrong. What if this player's "mistake" had caused some serious damage to this official would will still be here debating whether this mistake should or should not be punished?

3. I simply don't demand a "pound of flesh" for a "pound of flesh". Some might deem that weak - I disagree. In this situation, I don't know that I'd feel wronged enough to tag a "kid" with a (deserved) record.


I respect and understand the argument on the other side. I guess I just don't find this situation to be as black and white as some.

While the age of the player is unknown if he is under 18 he gets a juvi record which is sealed at 18. If he is over 18 there are several courses of action especially for a misdemeanor that will not impact his future. In some jurisdictions he could get an action in contemplation of dismissal which could hang over his head for some period of time. If he did not commit future crimes it would be dismissed with no record showing.

There are ways to punished and help this young man complete his education in responsibility and right and wrong.

I personally find it preposterous that the "I will not do it again" letter suffices for his actions and like one post said, in my day the court would have been at home in back of the wood shed.

[ajmc]

Brett, perhaps some of us from an older generation would consider being viewed on u-tube doing something reprehensible embarrassing and stupid, but there are far too many in the current generation who consider it exhilerating and empowering.

Being sorry because you got caught, doesn't have the same level of repentence as learning and understanding why you were wrong. Our personal actions ALWAYS have consequences, often known and sometimes unanticipated, and we each have to learn of their existence.

A really unpleasant penalty, for a stupid act in Texas provides a learning opportunity for a lot of other 17 year olds in Texas, and if publicized as much as the act itself, can teach a lesson to 17 year olds in Oregon and a lot of other places.

Punishment shouldn't be, "a pound of flesh". It should be something measured that will support the argument, that can be easily recognized, that doing what was done is not worth the consequence that follows choosing to do it.

Don't know what you consider serious, but the dire consequences of a juvenile deciding to deliberately attack an unsuspecting adult, in a supervisory role, to the extent of causing serious bodily injury to satisfy personal frustration, seems like a lesson this young man absolutely needs to learn and clearly understand as soon as possible. Not only for society's benefit, but for his personal lifelong benefit as well.

I noticed there's two different groups saying the official involved won't be pressing charges or doubt he will. The UIL (Texas state association) told the school (from what I gleaned in the article) that the official won't be pressing charges (Makes me wonder if he was told not to, or forget even getting a playoff game again???) while the Texas officials association (TASO?) said they doubt he will (makes me wonder if they've actually even talked to him!).

[TxJim]

Originally Posted by Ref Ump Welsch

I noticed there's two different groups saying the official involved won't be pressing charges or doubt he will. The UIL (Texas state association) told the school (from what I gleaned in the article) that the official won't be pressing charges (Makes me wonder if he was told not to, or forget even getting a playoff game again???) while the Texas officials association (TASO?) said they doubt he will (makes me wonder if they've actually even talked to him!).

Wow, Those are sobering thoughts. I hope they aren't true, but they very well could be.