Ohio man charged with assault for punching softball referee

An Ohio man has been charged with assault after he was caught on camera punching a referee in the face during an adult league softball game last week, officials said.

Before the start of a game at Columbus’ Berliner Park on Tuesday night, player Gregory Roudabush got into a verbal argument with referee Wiley Butler, footage obtained by WCMH.

Roudabush, dressed in a bright yellow jersey, approaches the butler – who is already standing behind the plate for the game – and punches the referee hard in the face, the video shows.

He then slams Butler to the ground over home plate before other players rush in and pull him out.

Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein announced on Tuesday that Roudabush was charged with first-degree assault and fourth-degree disorderly conduct following an investigation by the city’s Department of Recreation and Parks. .

It is also forbidden to participate in future leagues.

Butler told WCMH he asked Roudabush to move around a bit and explained why. When Roudabush became verbally abusive, Butler kicked him out of the game – that is, when the punch was thrown.

“I was stunned more than anything,” Butler said. “I think I was kind of in shock, in a way, because I couldn’t believe I got punched on the softball field. I really couldn’t believe it.

A Parks Department spokesperson told the outlet that “regardless of the disagreement, we do not expect our officials and players to resort to this type of violence.”