Follow up to June 2022 Blog Post

In 2022 I wrote a blog about a youth baseball umpire from New Jersey who was assaulted and suffered a broken jaw and concussion during a game in an attack by a youth baseball coach while disputing a call. Well recently I read a follow up article where I found out the aggrieved umpire was awarded $650,000 in damages in a bench trial before a Middlesex County Superior Court Judge.  According to the umpire’s attorney, Mr. Andrew O’Conner, it is believed to be the largest verdict of its kind in New Jersey history and in my opinion that is a good thing. Mr. O’Conner went on to further state that it is his hope that “this verdict sends a message that you cannot do this.”  I would also hope in the future, before a coach thinks about/or attacks a game official, they have the thoughts of this verdict in the back of their mind and think “hey, I could lose quite a bit if I do something stupid.”

            A brief background to the story taken from mycentraljersey.com states the following: James Neely was umping a game when Jerry Otero became upset over a call and spent several innings harassing and cursing Mr. Neely.  Mr. Neely proceeded to eject Mr. Otero from the game, and Mr. Otero responded by entering the field, striking Mr. Neely in the face. This caused Mr. Neely to suffer a concussion and fractures in his jaw which had to be wired shut and causes him issues with his jaw to this day.  Apparently during the trial, Mr. Otero admitted to striking Mr. Neely, but stated that he did not “hit him that hard to cause the damage that Mr. Neely suffered.”  The article goes on to state that Mr. Otero is over 6 feet tall compared to Mr. Neely’s 5-foot 6-inch height and he weighed over 140 pounds more.  Mr. O’Conner stated Mr. Neely got involved in youth sports and umpiring after retiring from his job and following this incident his wife made him promise to never umpire baseball again, a promise he has kept, even following the death of his wife (he continues to referee youth soccer). 

            The article goes on to state the $650,000 verdict will be paid from assets and not insurance by Mr. Otero and in addition to being $650,000 lighter in the wallet Mr. Otero was charged by the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office with third degree assault and fourth degree assault at a youth sports event.  Mr. Otero pled guilty to these charges and was sentenced to five years’ probation.  So, let’s look at this for a minute.  Not only is Mr. Otero out $650,000 (admittedly I have no idea what his financial situation is, but I can imagine that $650,000 is a pretty big hit to his family), he now also has a criminal record meaning that there is a chance he lost his job and in the future may be barred from many job opportunities all for what?…disagreeing with an umpire at a youth sporting event.  In my opinion that is a lot to give up to possibly win a trophy/medal at a youth sporting event, which will end up collecting dust in a closet in a few months.

            In my original post I noted while the EMT’s were providing medical attention to the fallen umpire the parents from Mr. Otero’s team were cursing at the umpire and saying, “he deserved it.” Many times, when reading articles and posts on Facebook I see similar comments such as “the referee/umpire was horrible” and in one video, which I have viewed a number of times, a baseball umpire ends the game due to parents being out of control and you can clearly hear parents shouting derogative things about the umpire including one parent talking about “meeting him in the parking lot” while he was walking off the field.  What appalling behavior from supposed adults who are supposed to be setting the example for their children.  Is it any wonder new game officials quit officiating games within three years of starting and there are quite a few leagues around the country that are canceling games due to the lack of game officials.  My question is who in their right mind is willing to be subjected to the possible violence/cruelty that is being dished out at youth sporting events by abusive parents, regardless of how much they may be getting paid, and if leagues are canceling games who is that hurting, the abusive parents who think they are raising superstar athletes or the children who just want to play and have fun with their friends.

So, in conclusion, once again a dedicated individual, who was willing to officiate youth sporting events, is lost due to the out of control/over the top behavior of a youth sport coach.  As I have been stating for years now if this behavior does not stop, youth sports will be in big trouble as without officials to officiate games you have no games. While I would never want to see anyone go through what happened to Mr. Neely, I am happy he got his day in court and got some satisfaction out of what was a horrible situation, and I hope that this verdict is a warning to other coaches out there to mind their behavior while coaching youth sports.