the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Branchburg Township NJ, a Staten Island Coach has been charged with third-degree aggravated assault and fourth-degree assault . The assault occurred during a 13-and-under U.S. Amateur Baseball League tournament game on June 4 in Branchburg and left the 72-year-old baseball umpire with a broken jaw that required extensive dental surgery.
Acting Somerset County Prosecutor Annmarie Taggart said Branchburg police were dispatched to White Oak Park in Branchburg around 8:08 p.m. on June 4 for a report of an assault on an umpire. Upon arrival, officers found the umpire bleeding from the mouth. Bystanders told police the suspect had left the park prior to their arrival. The umpire told officers that while officiating the game, he ejected one of the coaches for using foul language. The victim told the officers that the coach, who was later identified as Jerry Otero, then punched him on the left side of his face.
The coach from the Staten Island-based New York Prospects travel team, was arrested Tuesday morning by Branchburg police department and charged for the attack when Otero turned himself in to detectives at the Branchburg Township Police Department around 8:30 a.m. He has been placed in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing. Both Jerry Otero, and his team also have been banned from the USABL, one of the largest youth travel baseball leagues on the East Coast.
Ridiculous. Hitting a 72 yr old man over a 13yr old baseball game.
Roid rage…
Totally disrespectful and absolutely an act that should be punished to the highest violation that it can be. This is Unacceptable and the gentleman should be banned for life in any organized youth sporting event. And should never be allowed to interact with any coaching aspects of any sport. This is from a parent, and Umpire, and a professional individual.
yeah yeah yeah. Get ‘im.
and you wonder why no one wants to umpire anymore.
And you wonder why no one wants their children in organized sports anymore. Unhinged hillbilly parents
so far removed from reality that they think it’s OK to assault
a game official while their child is present to witness that assault? In front of dozens of other parents?
What fu&$ing plant are you people living on?