Assault Archives

2010

SOCCER — A 31-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of felony battery after tackling a referee after a soccer match in Temecula, Calif. Charles Hayne was ejected during a match on April 4, 2010, between two adult soccer teams. The incident occurred after the two teams had begun to fight and the referee, Gaston Manrique, 50, ended the game with 20 minutes left in regulation time.

As Manrique was recording the final score on the field, Haynes tackled him. Haynes fled the scene before sheriff’s deputies arrived at the park. He was later arrested on suspicion of felony battery and battery against a sports official.

2008

FOOTBALL — A referee who was assaulted after a middle school championship football game by two coaches says he will not pursue any charges in the wake of an altercation after a Nov. 15, 2008, game at Coalinga (Calif.) High School.

Randy Wright, 52, of Selma, Calif., a veteran football official and youth football assigner, was approached by two San Joaquin Middle School coaches as he and his crew were walking off the field after San Joaquin fell 18-14 to Los Banos Junior High School in the championship game. According to Wright, he and his crew were walking off the field and were just past the goalline when San Joaquin coaches surrounded them. One of the coaches held his hand out to shake Wright’s hand but at the same time was cursing him for sideline penalties that were called against San Joaquin during the game. An assistant coach allegedly tripped Wright from behind, causing him to fall and his elbow graze the chin of the other coach, Wright said.

2006

WATER POLO — A 21-year-old San Bernardino, Calif., man who struck a water polo referee following high school game was arrested and charged with battery of a sports official. Nic Simental, an eight-year water polo official at the high school and collegiate levels, said he didn’t see the punch coming following a Jan. 26, 2006, girls’ water polo game he worked in which San Bernardino defeated San Gorgonio, 9-8. John Maloof, a spectator and brother of one of the San Gorgonio players, was charged for the attack.

Following the game, Maloof confronted Simental at the scorer’s table and asked to talk to the referee. “I put my hand out like a stop sign and I said, ‘I don’t have anything to say, go away,’” said the 28-year-old Simental, who is also a Southern California high school assigner. Instead of leaving, Maloof allegedly sucker punched Simental, knocking him to the ground and leaving him bleeding. Simental suffered a black eye, swelling and a lose tooth. Maloof was caught by spectators and arrested.

SOCCER — An Apple Valley Granite Hills (Calif.) senior soccer player, who was not identified, allegedly punched referee Blake Harper in the chest during a Feb. 28, 2006, Southern Section Division V semifinal in which Granite Hills lost, 2-0, to Fountain Valley Los Amigos. The player was arrested and cited for misdemeanor battery. He could face as much as a $2,000 fine, a year in prison or both. According to the incident report, the player confronted Blake after the referee issued him a red card for using profanity at an opponent. He had previously been cautioned with a yellow card.

SOCCER — The Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) issued its stiffest penalty in league history April 24, 2006, suspending Baltimore Blast Coach Tim Wittman two years for making physical contact with officials following a March 18, 2006, match. Wittman, who was arrested on battery charges after the incident, was also fined by the league an undisclosed amount.

Following the March 18 game between the Blast and the California Cougars in Stockton, Calif., Wittman allegedly went across the field to the referee crease and made physical contact with referee Terry Mashino and penalty box attendant Rob Plannette. Other officials on the game were Kia Dehpanah, Mike Kampmeinert and Yadar Reyes.

2005

RUGBY – Rohnert Park, Calif., police recommended June 2, 2005, that assault and battery charges be filed against three men involved in a fight at a May 14, 2005, girls’ rugby game between teams from Alameda and Rohnert Park. The fight resulted in injuries to a linesman and two coaches from Alameda.

Police requested the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office file a misdemeanor battery charge against Ephalane "Abe" Palu, the coach of the Rohnert Park girls’ rugby team, and a misdemeanor charge of battery on a sports official against the coach’s brother, Sione Siketi Palu. Police also requested that Watson Lavulo, of Hawaii, the Palu brothers’ cousin, be charged with felony assault.

According to Sgt. Art Sweeney of the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety, the brawl broke out after a fan took issue with a call made by linesman Paul Berman, the touch judge from the Alameda team. Sione Siketi Palu allegedly punched Berman in the face three times before Alameda Coach Craig Stewart, 55, came to help the touch judge from his team.

2004

SOCCER – Soccer referee Bruce Greenlee, 59, was attacked by a youth coach at halftime of a Nov. 20, 2004, match in Albany, Calif., that he was officiating between teams of eight- and nine-year-old players. Following the incident, the coach, Mauricio Alvarez, was suspended and the team was disbanded. Alvarez was charged with two misdemeanors for hitting and kicking the referee after his Greenlee disqualified Alvarez’s team for failing to provide proof of eligibility and insurance for one player. Mauricio Alvarez was sentenced to 30 days of work service and ordered to attend anger management classes. As part of the sentence, Alvarez must stay away from Greenlee and pay a $100 fine and attorney costs.

2003

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.

SOFTBALL – Shane and Marideli Hoffman, of Castroville, Calif., could face battery charges for allegedly attacking umpire Felix Martinez during a May 10, 2003, girls’ softball game between California teams from Prunedale and Salinas. The incident took place after Prunedale Coach Joe Hayashi was ejected for arguing with Martinez over the umpire’s interpretation of the rules. When Hayashi exited, Marideli Hoffman came onto the field to remove her daughter, who plays for Prunedale, from the game. A verbal argument broke out between the mom and Martinez, and that’s when Shane Hoffman approached Martinez and wrestled him to the ground.

2002

BASEBALL – Jail time was the sentence handed out Feb. 13, 2002, to an assistant baseball coach who attacked an umpire during a Palm Springs (Calif.) Youth Baseball game in June 2001. Kenneth Williams, 32, of Palm Springs, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor battery for his attack on umpire Richard Jenkins, which knocked the official unconscious. Williams will serve 180 days in Riverside County Jail, three years of probation, and he can no longer participate on any level in youth sports.

BASKETBALL – Punching a referee equals nine months of jail time for a recreational basketball player from Long Beach, Calif. Dontravian Evans, 29, who punched referee Kevin Robinson in the eye during a league championship game Sept. 13, 2000, was convicted of felony assault and sentenced Jan. 28, 2002, to nine months in jail and three years of probation. Evans must also pay $3,400 for out-of-pocket expenses, and cover Robinson’s medical bills. Evans could have been sentenced to up to seven years of prison, but Judge John Ryan felt the assault wasn’t as severe as others that have warranted such time.

The incident happened early in the championship game when the score was only 2-0. Evans, who was upset about a call, struck Robinson when he was looking at the scorer’s table. Robinson didn’t see the punch coming. The blow caused permanent damage to Robinson’s eye.

2001

BASEBALL - During an adult (30+) baseball game the umpire is head butted twice across the bridge of his nose after ejecting a player for throwing a bat and cursing. (April 2001)

1998

SOCCER - A top referee in the San Francisco Soccer and Football League (SFSFL) was attacked by an angry fan and ended up losing a piece of his ear. The referee stated he was attacked by a fan, in a pedestrian tunnel near the field, during an intermission, while the referee went to get some water. Witnesses state the referee was put in a headlock by his assailant and his ear was bitten off. (10/11/98)

FOOTBALL - In Sacramento, California, a youth football coach pushes the referee to the ground and kicks him several times in the groin area while shocked players and fans look on. (9/25/98)

SOCCER - A veteran soccer official is assaulted in Fountain Valley, California, by parents at a youth soccer match. The referee reported that he was spit upon by a parent and when he asked the team manager for the name of the individual he was told, "You deserve to be spit upon." The parent was charged and plead guilty to simple assault and was sentenced to one year light probation. (7/98)

BASEBALL - A flurry of gunshots sent hundreds of people running for cover and left an umpire slightly injured during a Little League game in Sacramento, California. One bullet tore through the chest protector of a 28-year-old umpire and grazed his shoulder. The incident occurred at Rio Tierra Junior High School while games were being played on several diamonds. Two teenage boys were arrested and charged with assault with a deadly weapon. The two boys claimed to be practice shooting. (05/16/98)

SOCCER - A parent was found guilty of battery against a sports official after attacking a referee at a Southern California youth soccer tournament in Ventura County. The assailant pleaded no contest and was sentenced on 11/05/98, to two years probation, 80 hours of community service and ordered to pay court and administrative costs. (03/21/98)

1997

FOOTBALL - A coach of the Rio Center youth football team in Sacramento, was charged with battery against a sports official, when he knocked a referee to the ground and kicked him. The incident was caught on video tape and has aired on several sportsmanship programs. (10/19/97)

BASKETBALL - A 21-year old coach of a youth basketball team involving 12-year-olds, punches the referee following the game in Costa Mesa, California. The act creates a small riot among fans and a 66-year old grandmother is trampled and suffers cuts and a leg injury. (9/97)

BASEBALL - An umpire was assaulted by player-coach in a Sacramento-area National Adult Baseball Association game. The player punched the umpire in the face as the umpire tried to leave the field. The blow broke the umpire's jaw in four places. (05/18/97)

BASEBALL - A Mt. Diablo HS assistant baseball coach was dismissed from his position, after he bit an umpire's finger and threw a punch at him, during a game between Mt. Diablo and Alcalanes HS. (04/15/97).

BASKETBALL - A rec-league San Diego basketball official needed 21 stitches to repair lacerations to his face after a player attacked him during a game. The player was fined $500 and sentenced to 18 months probation. (Unknown date).

FOOTBALL - In Chico, California, a local television reporter throws a bucket of popcorn in the face of high school football referee on "live" television while asking the official, "What would you do if someone did this to you?" The reporter apologizes only after an outcry from officials across the state and direct contact by the National Association of Sports Officials is made with the station. (4/97)

1996

SOCCER - Soccer players from Concord and Mt. Diablo HS engaged in a brawl, in which an official and a coach were attacked. (1/23/96)

1995

FOOTBALL - A 17-yr-old football player punched a referee in the face during a game between Beverly Hills HS and Compton Centennial. This incident has been captured on tape and shown nation-wide. (10/20/95)

1990

BASKETBALL - A Continental Basketball Assn. player was sentenced to three years' probation and fined $500 for attacking and choking a referee during a CBA playoff game. The player was also ordered to pay restitution, and suspended by the CBA. (5/90)

1989

FOOTBALL - Two prep football players from Newhall, California, pleaded no contest to misdemeanor battery charges after tackling a sports official. The players were each placed on two years probation and ordered to perform over 400 hours each of community-service work. (12/89)

1988

FOOTBALL - Two officials at a Pop Warner football game in La Habra, California, were attacked by spectators while leaving the game. One had his jaw broken in five places and ended up receiving a $55,000 settlement. (11/88)

BASEBALL - A fan at a high school baseball game, in Glendale, California, was convicted of misdemeanor battery for entering the field and punching a base umpire. He was sentenced to two years' probation, $500 fine and 75 hours of community service. (08/88)

BASKETBALL - A rec league basketball player in San Diego, California, was sentenced to 18 months probation, 90 days of custody, a $500 fine, and was ordered to pay medical restitution after he attacked the official during a game. In the attack, the official sustained numerous contusions as well as lacerations to his face requiring 21 stitches. The player was convicted of misdemeanor battery. (2/88)

1987

BASEBALL - A parent of a Little League baseball player in Westminster, California, pleaded no contest to misdemeanor assault after he entered the field and punched the umpire. The parent was sentenced to three years probation, 80 hours of community service, $950 in fines and had to write a 1,000-word essay on the "proper behavior of spectators at a sporting event." (09/87)

SOFTBALL - The manager of a municipal league softball team in Chula Vista, California, pleaded no contest to a charge of misdemeanor criminal assault after he grabbed the umpire by the throat and slammed him against a snack bar, following a tournament game. Hamlett was fined $150 and placed on two years probation. (11/87)

1985

BASEBALL - In San Francisco, an umpire was working a Cal. Baseball Association game when he ejected a 19-yr-old athlete, who verbally abused this umpire's partner. The player then threw his mitt in the umpire's face. The game was forfeited. As the umpire left the field, he was slapped by the player's wife with and his father joining the attack. As a result of this attack, the umpire suffered injuries to his face and back and missed seven days of work. (3/85)