A softball player is in some big trouble for his violent actions toward an umpire.
An Ohio man has been charged with assault after he was caught on video viciously punching an umpire in the face at an adult-league softball game. Before the start of a game at Columbus’ Berliner Park, player Gregory Roudabush got into a verbal dispute with umpire Wiley Butler, footage obtained by WCMH shows.
Roudabush, wearing a bright yellow jersey, approaches the Butler to argue. Suddenly, he punches the umpire hard in the face, video shows. He then slams Butler to the ground on top of home plate before other players rush over and pull him off.
On Tuesday, it was announced by Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein that Roudabush was charged with a first-degree misdemeanor assault and a fourth-degree disorderly conduct following an investigation by the city’s Recreation and Parks department.
He’s also banned from participating in future leagues.
Butler told WCMH that he had asked Roudabush to move over a bit, and gave him an explanation as to why. That is when Roudabush became verbally abusive so Butler ejected him from the game.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral Baseball stories via Google! Follow Us
“I was stunned more than anything,” Butler said. “I think I kind of went into shock, in a sense, because I could not believe I got punched on the softball field. I really just couldn’t believe it.”
A parks department spokesperson told the outlet that “no matter what the disagreement was, we do not expect our staff officials and players to resort to this type of violence.”
Wiley Butler and his attorney John Graceffo spoke to Nexstar’s WCMH and said they intended to take legal action.
“What this other person did amounts to nothing less than criminal conduct, and he needs to pay for that,” Graceffo said.
