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    • Parent Accused Of Assaulting Ump Banned Save Email Print
    Dad still faces criminal charges
    Posted: 4:34 PM Jul 21, 2008
     Last Updated: 10:12 PM Jul 21, 2008
     Email Address: sixonline@wowt.com
    77 comments
    A | A | A

    The parent and coaches involved in a dispute with an umpire after a boy’s baseball game in Douglas County earlier this month were disciplined on Monday.

    The parent, 39-year-old Jeff Johnson, was charged with misdemeanor assault for allegedly hitting umpire Chuck Andersen (pictured) after a game on July 12th. Andersen says he was blindsided and shoved to the ground. Attempts to get Johnson's side of the story failed.

    Two coaches confronted the umpire as well.

    The Gretna Youth Softball and Baseball Association banned Johnson from games for two years, calling his behavior "inexcusable.” It says it has a zero tolerance policy regarding unsportsmanlike behavior.

    The coaches who confronted Andersen won't be allowed to coach next season.

    The organization says it has issues with the umpire as well, that he "unnecessarily escalated tensions" during the game. It's calling for the USSSA and the Metro Umpire's Association to investigate and discipline Andersen as well.

    Channel 6 News spoke Monday with Denny Jones, the chief of the Metro Umpire Association. He says he's "pleased" with the decision to ban the parent and coaches and insists Andersen is a good umpire and acted appropriately during the game in question.

    The Metro Umpire Association says Anderson, like all its umpires, has been through sensitivity training. Andersen will continue officiating games when the fall season starts in August.
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    Posted by: H on Jul 25, 2008 at 12:45 PM
    This is just another case of POOR SPORTMANSHIP plain and simple! This kind of thing happens all the time at the little league level, thru college, and all the way to the Pros. We'll here more of this, this fall when the Huskers loose, first it will be bad officials and then these poor sports will want to fire the coach. Wake up and realize anytime there is a contest where one team will win and the other then has to loose, accept the loss and move on, after all it's just a game.....right?!
    Posted by: J on Jul 25, 2008 at 12:04 PM
    Oh, this story just gets better all the time - the umpire plans to sue the parent. Three guesses who the lawyer is. Three initials.
    Posted by: Dee on Jul 25, 2008 at 10:04 AM
    I am an umpire. Denny Jones has trained me and I have been trained by the best. I worked with Gretna 11 years old. This is really the team Gretna needs to build your program around these young men, coaches, and parents. They played hard until the last out and even though they lost their games they were having fun. They had fun and still lost. Good job 11 year old coaches. This is not the team that had the problem with the umpire. It is the 12 year old team. Gretna you say you have zero tolerance on parents and coaches negative attitude. Then check with your Gretna parents and coaches on the 9 year old team. This game was going on the same time your 12 year old team was playing. After the game your Gretna 9's head coach went totally out of control. He threw his hat against the fence. I was afraid for my safety so what is the zero tolerance on him? I know you will feel it is Metro Umpires that caused the coach to go out of control. Fans said bad things. G lost.
    Posted by: Sid on Jul 25, 2008 at 09:49 AM
    With all the talk about how fast Gretna is growing, now they are letting the riff-raff in?
    Posted by: Paul read this on Jul 25, 2008 at 08:20 AM
    Paul...let's revisit this for a second. The coaches had Chuck sandwiched between them. The coaches were yelling at Chuck. The coaches were kicking dirt on Chuck. This was all happening AFTER the game. You say they weren't trying to start a fight, that's a load and you know it. There was nothing to defend after the game. There was no reeason to put Chuck in this situation. They should have allowed him to leave the field, yet they held him there for the purpose of antagonizing him. Those coaches were just as wrong as that parent was and should be charged also. There was no excuse for their behavior period. As coaches they are held to a higher standard...they failed miserably. Robust dialogue with an umpire during a game is somewhat expected, but a coach should know where that line is and not cross it. After the game is over there is nothing else to discuss. They crossed the line the minute they sandwiched Chuck AFTER the game.
    Posted by: Debi on Jul 25, 2008 at 07:09 AM
    I reported Andersen last season. He became verbally abusive when a ball popped up and hit him in the hand. He claimed it hit him in his privates. (Which is not the term he used while yelling at the batter and catcher.) When I tried to calm him and remind him this was a girls', 12 and under rec game, he charged the fence toward me. My husband came to my defense. Andersen yelled and cussed at me, my husband, the girls and the parents.
    Posted by: umpire on Jul 25, 2008 at 12:20 AM
    I am an umpire. I have done a game at CB one of the losing team parents said we were the worst umpires they had ever seen. I shouldn't be umpiring. After the next game was over as we were leaving this parents team was finishing a game on the field next to us. He was talking to another parent saying how this was the worst umpires he had ever seen, his team lost again. I felt hurt. I thought it was just me and my partner. All umpires hear the same thing. It seems when ever a team loses the umpires are the worst they have ever seen. You can change Chuck Andersen's name to anyone that umpires and you will have the same negative comments about the umpire if you lose. This is the problem that little league sports are coming too and why all sport officials are concerned about the out of control of some coaches and parents. You can not believe how many times kids have said they wish the coach would be still or his father or mother would be still "we just want to have fun."
    Posted by: Lori on Jul 24, 2008 at 04:12 PM
    I work with Denny and Chuck during the baseball season and have for several years. I have never had a complaint from our coaches about Chuck's behavior. Is Chuck arrogant - yes. Is he a good umpire - yes. Sometimes it is necessary to be arrogant to deal with parents during youth baseball games. When parents are disrespectful, they are teaching their children (throught actions) that is appropriate behavior. Baseball is supposed to be about the kids. Winning is NOT everything parents. The most important thing the kids learn playing any sport are LIFE SKILLS. Shame on Mr. Johnson for letting his emotions take over and turning to violence. We teach our children to use their words not hands. As far as the batter - if kids are not taught respect for authority (in this case the umpire)then parents get angry when authority deals with the situation. Maybe parents should go back to the basics and teach their children respect at home.
    Posted by: Paul on Jul 24, 2008 at 02:51 PM
    Are most of you the dumbest people ever? This was not about a call, a play or anything like that. The parent is a complete idiot. I think everyone agrees on that. The coaches were sticking up for there players AFTER the game not during. The coaches never attempted to touch the umpire or start a fight. If the Metro Umpire Assoc did there job none of this might have ever happened. People have complained about this umpire before an nothing was ever done about it. The umpire telling the coaches the he will get them at some point tells me he is a big idiot also and that is when his supervisor should have pulled them off the field. I dont think anyone is condoning the parent at all but the coaches did nothing wrong. It sounds like the Umpires Assoc just does not care. especially if he is allowed to continue umpiring and THROWING HIS WEIGHT around.
    Posted by: m on Jul 24, 2008 at 02:35 PM
    When I saw his face I knew-Chuck Anderson is the worst ump Metro Blue has. He picks a team to stick up for.He makes lousy calls at second when he can't even see the plate! Granted Umpiring is not an easy job.Every ump has bad calls-even parents acting as umps make bad calls.But he is the worst that our family has seen in years. Im glad my son isn't playing metro ball anymore.
    Posted by: P on Jul 24, 2008 at 01:59 PM
    I dont understand how anyone can blame the umpire. The kid did not ask for timeout before stepping out of the box, its a simple baseball rule. He was not 'scolding' the player as some like to say, but just enforcing the rules of the game...you know, his job. Also, as an UMP, Denny is a pile!
    Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 24, 2008 at 11:37 AM
    It doesn't matter how bad of an umpire he is. There was no reason for someone to use violence. I have disagreed many times with umpires but I would not want to be in their shoes. I know my brother referees soccer and he has thrown people out. If this gentleman is so bad then all parents need to complain and give specific examples. None of us are perfect.
    Posted by: Unbelievable on Jul 24, 2008 at 11:32 AM
    Anonymous, I was there thank you!!! I just was not a coach or parent.
    Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 24, 2008 at 04:38 AM
    Unbelievable! What a longwinded rant against judgmental people who weren't at the game... when you yourself weren't there. Let me introduce you to a new word. It's "Hypocritical".
    Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 23, 2008 at 03:59 PM
    Sounds like one of the major TV networks need to being back the show "men behaving badly".
    Posted by: Lori on Jul 23, 2008 at 03:37 PM
    I don't believe at any point did I purposely malign the coaches...I did mention that the abuse heaped on coaches by PARENTS has been brewing for several decades. I think a lot of kids would be better off if their parents DIDN'T attend the games. Regardless of what was said to the kid and in what tone of voice (and I think at 12 you could be "man enough to take it", I'm sure he had to have been MORTIFIED when his dad attacked the ump. No, wait, what generation am I talking about here...he probably thought it was "cool". I know I myself would have been mortified to have a parent act like that at any event I was taking part in, when I was that age...
    Posted by: MetroBlue on Jul 23, 2008 at 03:03 PM
    I find it very funny that people are actually putting blame on Chuck b/c of his style of "umpiring." People!!! This was a 12 year-old GAME!!! Nobody won a scholarship, no one got drafted, the CUBS did not win the WORLD SERIES!!!! To those of you that are so much better umpire than Mr. Chuck Anderson, get off your lazy tail and get out there and makes some extra $$ for yourself. But always remember, its about the kids....that's why I umpire!!
    Posted by: You gotta be kidding me on Jul 23, 2008 at 02:57 PM
    Unbelievable...Chuck's only responsibility here was to umpire the game, which he did a fine job of doing. It wasn't until the Coaches and the parent created the uproar that all heck broke loose. Chuck has nothing to apologize for or to take responsibility for.
    Posted by: Katie on Jul 23, 2008 at 02:47 PM
    When I heard this story, I walked over & knew it would be Chuck's face I saw on the screen. This is a BAD umpire. It's not the bad calls, or the strike three that hits the plate, or umping from one knee the whole game. It is the fact that he verbally assaults parents and/or coaches at every game. (our team, their team, he chooses) If they know enough NOT to say something, he picks the fight for them. I have witnessed him throwing a bat through the fence opening that barely missed two small children. With all the complaints, shame on Denny for letting him continue to umpire until a situation escalated to this degree. I agree with Keith, the teams need to not pay him and play the game without an umpire. USSSA needs to NOT use him in tournaments and at the very least, parents should sit in the outfield if he does umpire. I would like to see a 6-on-your-side investigation as to why this man is still working for Metro Umpires.
    Posted by: Unbelievable on Jul 23, 2008 at 02:41 PM
    Bennington, actually I'm not. Just someone who believes that mistakes can happen when emotions get involved. Apparently you must be "perfect".
    Posted by: J on Jul 23, 2008 at 12:42 PM
    Let me go out on a limb here - "Unbelievable" is either the parent or one of the coaches.
    Posted by: Sharon on Jul 23, 2008 at 11:56 AM
    I would like to hear from some of the ball players out there on what they think about the issue and umpires. The players should be able to give some light on umpires. I don't understand how a child's baseball game could get so out of hand. One person couldn't cause this much hostility unless others were involved. It doesn't seem right to blame a man that knows his job and does so many games. I understand that teams come in from out of state also. This umpire seems to be liked by many and like some not liked at all. It seems a lost was hard to take, but sportmanship here would of been the true winner. Mr. Jones works with all these coaches and trains all his umpires. He seems to do an excellent job. We need to have someone train the parents now. We can not all win the game, but can be winners. Should we take away from great plays made by kids? I understand the game was a good one and no problems were issued until the last out. The kids played great. It was a kids game?
    Posted by: Unbelievable on Jul 23, 2008 at 10:53 AM
    It is amazing to me how so many people can be so judgemental when you weren't at the game & have no idea what happened.I guess none of you have EVER made a mistake in your life. Nothing that happened here was excused but FOR THE LOVE OF GOD can't we just forget about this and let "the courts handle this". No one is perfect and I am sure you all make mistakes every day.If you were "protecting" your child you would do the same thing. That is what the parent and coaches did.And by the way,the ump didn't apologize to the child he was to busy making up things to say to the media...No one wins in this situation. Especially the kids. I think everyone is forgetting about that. The coaches and Dad are taking responsibility for what they did and now "Chuck" needs to!! Your not perfect Chuck!!!
    Posted by: Brian on Jul 23, 2008 at 07:47 AM
    I'm a fellow metro umpire. It disgusts me that Gretna baseball is passing the blame onto this ump for a melicious attack. And I love how several of you have said Chuck has had "numerous" complaints against him. What umpire hasn't??!! There is ALWAYS one side that is happy and one side that is mad. The losing team is mad at you and blames you for a 10 run loss, and the winning team always congratulates you. That's what umpires do, we are the judgement on the field and we are out there to make those tough calls.If chuck tossed someone earlier in the tournament, then that is how you get control of a bad situation with an unruly fan or coach. It is a last resort. If you continually ignore them, it will only get worse.
    Posted by: Keith on Jul 22, 2008 at 11:26 PM
    I'm amazed by the whiny, arrogant, lazy parents who put their kids in baseball. If there are pages upon pages of complaints about the ump, where's your backbone to take real action? Paper is not action. It seems no one followed up on the complaints from last year. Just complain and expect someone to take action. Is this important to you? Then show it! If Metro Umps won't do anything about it then YOU do something about it! You pay them, right? Why do you give them your money if you're upset with their service? 'Game witness' wrote that there were several complaints about this ump starting at the tournament. Then why did you let him start? Meet with your coaches; let Metro Umps know you won't work with this ump. If he shows up, send him back and reschedule the game. If it's not important enough to take these actions to protect your kids, then shut up and quit whining!
    Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 22, 2008 at 11:09 PM
    Edmund, apparently none of the parents attending felt it was at all important to video the game, or the video would be online already. What a sad statement about parents.
    Posted by: MA on Jul 22, 2008 at 10:25 PM
    First, violence can never be condoned or be the answer. But, I have seen this umpire in action. He is arogant and antagonistic. I am sure this situation is giving him just what he is always after - attention.
    Posted by: Deb on Jul 22, 2008 at 10:16 PM
    We were there watching the 12 year old Gretna and Ashland game. I am amazed that they would honestly admit that their fans were out of control. Gretna,fans had no bad things to say during any of the game while the Gretna team was a head. After they fell behind this is when things started to be said about the umpires all their calls and whatever else the parents could say. What we saw was the umpire say 3 balls 1 strike, the batter jumped out of the box not calling time. The umpire said loudly "it is a 3-1 get back." Gretna where is this awful response that was said? Why did your team fans have no issues with this umpire until they started losing? We also saw the two coaches sandwich this unpire. They did yell and scream and hold him. They just kept him there. Then this man comes on the field the coaches moved away as the man ran towards them. It was then the umpire was flying in the air. If the coaches wouldn't of held him would he of been hit? Our teams like this umpire!
    Posted by: Fellow coach on Jul 22, 2008 at 08:41 PM
    I think we are all forgetting the core issue: Stupid parent. If he does not loose his cool we are not having this discussion. The coaches approached the ump, just like 75% of all softball and baseball games every night in the metro. Without the stupid parent, everybody goes home with no issues and we are all getting ready for Husker football!
    Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 22, 2008 at 08:22 PM
    The parent was wrong. The coaches however only stood up for a child being intimidated by this ump. If my child were on the team I would expect a coach to stand up for him. My son has played for one of these coaches and I know he has benched players for getting on the other team while that team was flipping them off. He has also benched kids for getting too vocal about calls. He has umped games himself and knows what it is like on the other side. It saddens me that so many have such awful opinions of these coaches. The parent should have let these coaches handle it. From far away it may have seemed that they were confronting about bad calls. If you were up at the fence it is clear that they were only upset about the treatment of the player. Those I have talked to who were up by home plate said the coaches were not even screaming but talking in strong firm voice. I think if the truth were told when this all started public opinion may be different.
    Posted by: Parent on Jul 22, 2008 at 08:04 PM
    Lori, I know for a fact that winning or not winning the game was not a factor in the coach approaching the umpire. He was defending the child from a hostile umpire who was himself confronting coaches and players all weekend. Complaints were made by several teams to the tourn. director about the umps hostilities and NOTHING was done. I heard he ejected a Bennington coach before his game even started at this tourn. He threatened the coaches before the game started in front of the kids. One of these coaches coached this team out of the goodness of his heart. His son was not even on this team. And during the reg. season he never wins many games, but his players each one improve on their skills and they learn good sportsmanship. You do not know the character of these coaches, only the lies you are hearing. It makes me so sad that people are being so very judgmental when they do not know the whole story. These coaches are good guys. Many did not see what really happened.
    Posted by: C on Jul 22, 2008 at 07:12 PM
    A FEW THINGS... 1. Everyone agrees - hitting Chuck was wrong. The parent deserves punishment. 2. Those of us who have had the displeasure of having him officiate our kids' games can understand how one might have the intense impulse to react to his horrible behavior. 3. If you weren't at the game in which the incident occurred, then you really can't judge the coaches. They were just standing up for their players....which, by the way, SHOULD happen. Shame on Gretna for not standing up for their coaches! 4. Everyone who is disgusted with the parent's actions should be just as disgusted with the actions of the umpire, Chuck Andersen. Screaming at a boy....yea, that's a good role model for our children. 5. Mr. Andersen's boss, Mr. Denny Jones knows about Chuck's behavior and he has the responsibility to DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. This CLEARLY is not the first time he has received reports about it. Our children deserve better. 6. We, as parents, will be watching next year....
    Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 22, 2008 at 06:57 PM
    Was the parent wrong? Yes. Were the coaches wrong? Yes. Have they been dealt with? Yes. What about the Metro Umpires and this ump? They owe everyone out there that plays baseball an examination of this ump as it seems that there are numerous complaints about him. Should he have been treated in this manner? No, of course not. If he has acted appropriately, an investigation will determine that. If he is so innocent, he should welcome that. At least the Gretna Youth group has taken some disciplinary action against those involved. As a parent of a child who is on a different Gretna baseball team, I am tired of these blanket accusations that this is how all Gretna parents are as well as their coaches. No, that is not true. Until you have come to all of the games involving Gretna teams, you really cannot make that statement. I have seen this behavior from a lot of other fans as well. This is a sign of the times people.
    Posted by: Fish on Jul 22, 2008 at 05:43 PM
    It's good to see some justice going on. A little advice to Jeff Johnson: if you think an ump makes bad calls or yells at kids, you'll get more sympathy if you follow complaint proceedures than if you go the body slam route. The body slam thing buys the ump a lot of sympathy in the public's eye. Even if your complaints are valid, they sound like the whining of a desperate man trying to avoid responsibility.
    Posted by: A.M.S. on Jul 22, 2008 at 04:10 PM
    Paragraph six of Gretna's official statement to this whole situation begins: "GYSBA does not condone the common practice of coaches and parents questioning an umpire's call of the game. We believe in this situation our coaches restrained from questioning any calls." Why then were both coaches suspended for next year? You can't have it both ways. The statement also takes issue with the umpire because he "did not help the coaches diffuse the high level of emotion shown during the game." Funny how sandwiching and yelling at an umpire is seen as "diffusing the high level of emotion" by the Gretna YSBA board. I'm a Metro Umpire, and I've been charged at and verbally berated before by one of these coaches. Finally he's accounatble for his pathetic sportsmanship. I also hope the GYSBA comes to see how ridiculous their statement is. Stop blame passing, own up, and just admit you've brought it on yourselves by not dealing with this situation earlier.
    Posted by: Lori on Jul 22, 2008 at 03:41 PM
    It's been about 31 years since my dad coached a little league team my brother played for. We went to many of the games and the screaming and yelling at my dad from many of the parents was just a forerunner to the violent displays we're witnessing today. Why did they yell at my dad, you ask? Because he believed in Little League, EVERY kid should play, not just the hot-shot jocks. Yes, they lost games because of his philosophy, but after all, he wasn't trying to teach WINNING, he was trying to teach sportsmanship and fundamentals. Which apparently are lost upon Gretna coaches and fans.
    Posted by: to Steve on Jul 22, 2008 at 03:01 PM
    Thanks for the fashion report, extremely relevant to the discussion.
    Posted by: Fred on Jul 22, 2008 at 01:59 PM
    I coached baseball for 17 years, umpired American Legion for six years before that and still watch my youngest play who is about to enter high school. I also played baseball and other sports for many years and in college. I will only say that regardless of the quality the umpire the ONLY PERSON that, per the rules of baseball, is allowed to discuss anything with the umpire is the COACH! Even then, no physical contact or other intimidation (kicking dirt) is allowed and grounds for getting thy butt booted. The coaches,nimrod parent and other fans from Gretna that think this is OK or in any way justifiable are clueless. In all my years of involvement I never had anything more than a proper discussion with an umpire and yes, I saw some doozys. On more than one occasion I requested a parent to leave a game because that parent was an embarassment to his son, our team and the game in general. It is a YOUTH baseball game. Kids remember how adults act but will forget about who won!
    Posted by: Rhonda on Jul 22, 2008 at 01:55 PM
    My husband is an umpire in the Omaha area. He umpires about 100 games each summer and I have to say with some of the stories he comes home with, about how parents and coaches conduct themselves is amazing. This is little league baseball not pro baseball during the Worlds Series. I attend about 10 of his game each summer and have to say more than half of the games I go to I have to listen to the parents agrue, yell, and say bad things about the umpire, little do they know as I am sitting there, I am the umpire's wife. I will say on occasion I have even received an apology, with them saying. "I didn't realize". Coaches and parents need to realize the umpire is there because they choose to have an umpire there, therefore they need to respect the umpire's decision making, weather or not it is in favor of their team.
    Posted by: Hey Steve-O on Jul 22, 2008 at 01:34 PM
    A guy with dirt on his pants means he has lots of experience working games. He probably didn't have time to wash his uniform because he got off the diamond at 10pm and got up at 8am to go umpire more crappy baseball. Were your clothes dirty? Probably not, because you were sitting there on your butt in the bleachers and not behind the plate watching your kid hit everything except the strike zone. Go ahead, try it sometime.
    Posted by: J on Jul 22, 2008 at 01:28 PM
    Okay, I'm curious. Jeff from Millard, who talked with a friend, or any of the knowledgeable out there - how does an umpire "get banned in Grand Island and Ashland"? Does the team refuse to play if that ump shows up? I thought that was called "forfeiting". Or can you schedule which ump shows up at your game? I didn't think you could do that either. I'm missing some of the finer points here and it would help me understand the situation better.
    Posted by: GYBSA is at Fault on Jul 22, 2008 at 12:58 PM
    Who cares about the GYBSA side of the story? If you don't like the umpire you contact tournament officials. You don't "confront" the ump. What happens when you confront a polce officer? Does anything good ever happen? Hmmm lets see. Instead, pull your team off the field. Walk away and go home. You had several options, but GYBSA opts for violence and then tries to blame the ump. Even if he was "verbally abusive" and obnoxious, walk away, seek officials, nah lets just beat up the ump. Get off your butt, strap on 30lbs of plate gear for 6-10 hours and lets see how you do! Remember it was your decision to play in the tournament! It was your decision to act the way you did when you could have decided to leave.... Its good to see that the parents finally got off their butt and exercised, even if it was to beat up on a little guy. Does it help your ego if you say it was the umps doing? Looks like volunteer dads on your diamond next year! Let us know so we can come "confront" them.
    Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 22, 2008 at 12:44 PM
    I believe that the umpire did act accordingly in telling the player to step into the box because the ball was still live, and if he did not call time the ensuing pitch would be a strike. It is the umpire's job to be an AUTHORITY FIGURE which does entail raising your voice if you find it necessary...These coaches, parents, and GYSBA need to pic up a rule book and peruse all of rule nine. Accordingly for the umpire to "manage the game better" they are telling us that this rowdiness had been going on the whole game, and people should have been ejected. Since the aforementioned umpire works about 200 games a year, lets make a proposition for Mr. Johnson: He shall umpire a minimum of 200 games next year, and can make money while doing it! This is, of course, if hes not sitting in Douglas County Correctional Center...Way to go champ! Just because your kid cant handle a game and your pressure not only have you made a complete invalid of yourself but you may also cost me tax money!
    Posted by: caitlin on Jul 22, 2008 at 12:30 PM
    To Gary....I grew up in Gretna and graduated from there...I think your the one being immature and putting yourself up on a pedastel because this could have happened anywhere...at any game...it just so happened to be some parent in Gretna...not everyone that lives in that town is the same and your making it out like they are...Gary you need to grow up and dont tell me I ought to be ashamed of myself for growing up where I did you ought to be ashamed of yourself for being so rude when you probably have never even visited Gretna
    Posted by: Glenn on Jul 22, 2008 at 11:49 AM
    Are people missing the point here. A baseball game is not determined by 1 pitch, call, swing of bat or even dropped fly ball. What if little Billy would have hit a double instead of flying out would the coaches have cornered the umpire and Little Billy's dad came onto the field. Think about all the kids that were on the field or watching from stands. Adults need to lead by their actions which too many times is negative instead of positive. All the finger pointing is just another negative action which not solving the issue.
    Posted by: baseball mom on Jul 22, 2008 at 10:53 AM
    My son's team has played a different team from Gretna and that coach was a jerk - they need to have training sessions for all of their coaches.
    Posted by: Steve on Jul 22, 2008 at 10:31 AM
    There is no condoning what the parent did. Apparently that will be dealt with on its own merits. That said, we endured Mr Andersen all 4 games of that tourney. First, our 8am game on Friday, he showed up 15-20 min. late with the Tourney Director umping in his place. His appearence was one of dishevelment.Dirty hat, shoes, shirttail out. He didnt have a good game on the bases. The next 3 of our games he was behind the plate. He would stay on one knee for entire at-bats. Prior to one of the games he called a meeting to advise there will be no negative remarks about any of his calls and if there is he will kick us out and if he doesn't get us this game he'll get us next game, and if not next game, he'll get us next year! He showed up on Saturday morning the same way. With Friday's dirt on his slacks, dirty shoes and generally a very unkempt look. His people skills are lacking, as is his respect of the game itself. He brought much of it on himself with his antagonizing demeanor. Not good!
    Posted by: Jerry on Jul 22, 2008 at 09:22 AM
    I believe activities like these are meant to be learning experiences. That goes for everyone involved, including umpires. The idiots that work their 9 to 5 jobs, then come out to the ballpark to release their frustrations on umpires that want to help children learn the game and yes make a couple of dollars to pay the bills, have to learn to keep their mouths shut, period. Support your kid, support your team, support your coaches, and leave the umpires alone. 99.9% of the time, those in attendance draw first blood. If you don't like the way game are umpired and you don't like the fact that they are being paid, then get off the bleacher and volunteer your time umpiring games.
    Posted by: Mike on Jul 22, 2008 at 08:52 AM
    The only thing Mr. Johnson did was teach his son that violence is the answer. It's because of parents like him that some children turn into lifelong criminals.
    Posted by: S on Jul 22, 2008 at 08:51 AM
    When my son was old enough to umpire, I said NO because I did not want him to be subjected to the behavior of other parents if they ever disagreed with a call. I had sat thru enough games & saw enough despicable behavior on the parts of parents. Who do these parents want to umpire the games? It sure won't be my kids.. And then if an umpire doesn't show up - you really see the worst in adults. Come on people - these are kids watching us to see how we react.
    Posted by: Jeff on Jul 22, 2008 at 08:22 AM
    Sad, Sad, Sad. I feel sorry for the coaches getting mixed up in this mess. One of these guys has coached my son for years and is a good man. If you really were at the game and up by the fence you could hear this ump verbally assault the kid. The coach defended the child, and if it was my child I would expect them to protect my children. I talked with a friend who found out this umpire is banned in Grand Island and Ashland. The parent was an idiot and deserves the ban. I'm glad the Gretna board took action on him.
    Posted by: Gary on Jul 22, 2008 at 07:59 AM
    Is this the same Gretna that puts itself on a higher level than the rest of the Omaha area towns? You ought to be ashamed of yourselves. All I ever hear is what a great place Gretna is and how they are so much better than the rest of us. Looks like you all are showing your true colors over this incident. NO parent should act like that! No wonder kids these days think its ok to settle everything by fighting. Nice examples set here. Don't like the call by the ump, go accost him in front of everybody. Nice! There are better ways to handle a 'bad' ump. Do it like an ADULT and PARENT. Grow up Gretna!
    Posted by: Game wittness on Jul 22, 2008 at 07:58 AM
    This ump has pages upon pages of complaints about him and his interaction with children throughout the metro and outside the metro and banned in some places. There were several complaints about him starting on Fri. at the tournament. He even threatened the coaches and when asked "why?" He threw one of the coaches out of the game before it even started. I think he needs to be investigated. I also think the coaches got a bad wrap. It was not about the win or loss. It was about making a statement to the ump about NEVER yelling at a twelve year old. The coaches did not scream or sandwich this ump. They only confronted him about the child Isn't it the coaches responsibility to protect the youth they are put in charge of?? The parent was wrong hands down. All involved have to live with the lies that have been told here and the good names that have been tarnished. The truth will be judged by a higher power. I hope all those involved can live with themselves and there conscious.
    Posted by: Brian on Jul 22, 2008 at 07:50 AM
    It is ABSOLUTLEY amazing to me that the Gretna Youth Organization places some of the blame on the umpire! Accountibility? No. Projection of blame? Yes. With an organization so willing to blame everyone but themselves, no wonder parents and coaches are so bold to act like they do. All this over a USSSA "single A" game (glorified rec league, believe me!). I've been a Metro Umpire for six years and umpired with Chuck Anderson NUMEROUS times, and I've never seen behavior from him (EVER!) that many of you are describing. Also, after talking to numerous other umps the past few days, I wish Gretna the VERY BEST OF LUCK getting an umpire on their fields next spring/summer. And you know what happens when you don't have an ump? They pull a coach or parent from the stands to do it..... Lets see how that works for you next year!!! Good luck!!!
    Posted by: Stan on Jul 22, 2008 at 07:29 AM
    This whole situation is inexcusable, for all parties involved, even the player. Why did the umpire feel he needed to scold the kid in the first place. Granted I was not there & have no 1st hand knowledge of the event, but have to wonder how this all got started to begin with. Maybe the kid did a good job of learning from the father. And then the umpire let it all get way out of hand.
    Posted by: KR on Jul 22, 2008 at 07:00 AM
    I talked to a person who was at the game. She could not recall anything at the game that would have GYSBA make their comments about the umpire. Needless to say it doesn't matter how bad of an umpire he was THE PARENT WAS WRONG! There is no reason to attack a person. We are giving our children bad examples. Like other posters have stated they should have gone to the umpire association and complained. We also need to remember this is supposed to be fun! I have 4 children and I see how competitive sports is becoming at such a young age. It is sad kids being pushed so hard anymore. Let kids be kids.
    Posted by: DB on Jul 22, 2008 at 06:45 AM
    Glad to hear that this neanderthal has been banned.
    Posted by: Omaha Observer on Jul 22, 2008 at 05:57 AM
    I grew up watching my brother play baseball and I can assure you this kind of stuff never happened. What goes on today with parents is just ridiculous. You teach the kids to be good sports and sometimes a call will go against you. I hope this guy gets jail time - what happens next time, does somebody pull a gun when they don't like the call???
    Posted by: Kevin on Jul 22, 2008 at 01:40 AM
    For the love of the game. If you have any other motive, don't bother showing up.
    Posted by: Larry on Jul 22, 2008 at 12:40 AM
    I agree that parents should leave umpire issues up to the coaches to address. With this said, I think Denny Jones does a HORRIBLE job at addressing complaints about his umpires. I personally have had too many umpires that just don't know the game. This is what ultimately leads to problems during games. When I've tried to discuss this with Denny Jones, he doesn't care, doesn't want to hear it and backs his umpires regardless of any situation. There are also too many umpires out there who are doing it just for the money and could care less about the kids or the games they are umping. I believe if Denny Jones would spend more time ensuring his umpires are capable of doing a good job before they assigned games or take the time to address valid complaints when they are brought to his attention, maybe issues like this could be avoided.
    Posted by: J.D.V. on Jul 21, 2008 at 11:47 PM
    It's amazing 'Janell' and 'Anonymous' that you seem to support the GYSBA. Both of you need to remember that the media has tried to get ahold of the jerk who started the whole mess - and he's refused to return calls. If he's so blameless, 'Janell' then he should have no problem talking to the media - and having read the GYSBA, they're just as biased in defending their umpires rather than admitting their part in the incident. It's amazing how both of you turn a blind eye to the fact that an umpire got hurt but you don't turn a blind eye to what you feel is unfair punsihment for a parent and two coaches to act in such a poor manner. Hope you don't have kids cause you're setting just as poor example for them as the coaches and that parent did for their own kids.
    Posted by: justin on Jul 21, 2008 at 11:11 PM
    That statement by the Gretna website just goes to show you that they are still blaming partially the umpire. It was the umpire's fault that the dad came on to the field and physically assaulted the ump? Huh? I wonder how the kid feels, if he wants to play baseball at all, in Gretna, his dad won't be able to watch, but if it were me, I'd probably quit if my dad acted that way.
    Posted by: TA on Jul 21, 2008 at 10:36 PM
    I am the parent of a small child that plays sports. Nothing disgusts me more than when parents at a childrens game act like fools. What is this teaching children?? That is is okay to act like an idiot to get your way? 39 year old parent acting like a child. Grow up you dip. I hope you feel like an dope. How embarrassing for you. DUH. We are almost 40, so lets cry and stomp our feet and throw a temper tantrum until we get our way. Im not sure about you but I have discovered that when you act like an slobbering fool that it just makes the umpire more likely to call against your team????? Get a grip Mr. Johnson, quit acting like the world is out to get you and grow up and teach your kids to be gracious losers.
    Posted by: mTm on Jul 21, 2008 at 10:31 PM
    Throw a book at the worthless parent - real example for his kid.
    Posted by: Edmund on Jul 21, 2008 at 10:16 PM
    There are 2 sides to this story. The coaches were maligned. If were going to discipline them, why not the umpire as well? Maybe somebody will post a video of the Umpire yelling at the kid, so everyone can get a clear picture of what led up to the parent's inexcusable action. Did the umpire even apologise to the kid? Not...
    Posted by: Mary O. on Jul 21, 2008 at 10:16 PM
    I don't know what the ump said that was so upsetting, but all over this country, parents of athletes have been getting out of control for many years. This behavior is a terrible influence on their kids and kids of the other parents. No wonder kids grow up with such anger and hatred. It's really a shame that charges have to be filed against a parent, who should know how to behave.
    Posted by: js on Jul 21, 2008 at 09:32 PM
    I have umpired for 17plus years and I believe there is no reason for a parent to EVER be on the field let alone touch an umpire but Denny needs to get control on upires like this. He has alot of great guys working for him but the few that act like they are better than the game and escalating incidents are making the whole organization look bad. I applaud GYSBA for handling there side now it is Metro Umpires turn to act. Discipline this umpire. I will not put on a Metro Umpire Hat again. I don't want to be associated with guys who can't control an 11yr old game.
    Posted by: Zack on Jul 21, 2008 at 09:26 PM
    Jim, are you really comparing little league umps to those working in the big leagues? That kind of skewed view is why events like this happen.
    Posted by: baseball mom on Jul 21, 2008 at 09:26 PM
    We have had several umps that we have not agreed with the call. That is no reason to confront the ump and blindside him. Any other place and he would be in jail for assault. What are you teaching your children who are playing or watching at the games. The rule to live by is... do to others as you would want done to you!
    Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 21, 2008 at 09:13 PM
    This is only a game for children, it is supposed to be fun. Parents need to keep that in perspective. Throw him out!
    Posted by: Brian on Jul 21, 2008 at 08:22 PM
    That statement mentioned proves who I said all along, this umpire is a jerk. He is the one with the "training" as he states and he did nothing but add gasoline to this fire. But all involved are idiots including this power-tripping ump who couldn't get a real job.
    Posted by: jim on Jul 21, 2008 at 07:36 PM
    like MLB umpires, who are supposed to start the season at 100 percent then steadily improve, it's obvious that area umpires have not yet achieved this standard. Really, there's no excuse--99 just don't cut it in this day and age. Maybe the goal should be 100 percent after a few games, not a whole season or even a few seasons. It's definitely something all arbitrators from here on out should shoot for.
    Posted by: JJ on Jul 21, 2008 at 07:27 PM
    I think it is appropriate for the parent and coaches to be banned. If the umpire did not do a good job, then the coaches and parent should have contacted the Metro Umpire Assn instead of causing a confrontation that served no purpose. The statement on the Gretna website shows this group still doesn't get what zero tolorance and accountability means! I feel sorry for their children.
    Posted by: Janell on Jul 21, 2008 at 06:29 PM
    The entire letter released by the GYSBA can be viewed at www.gysba.org. WOWT included a couple of sentences, and the letter is worth reading if you're interested in hearing both sides of the story for a change.
    Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 21, 2008 at 05:22 PM
    I'm glad to head that the parent is banned, but I'm slightly disappointed with the desision to ban the coaches from coaching. More than likely, they were defending their players and confronting the Ump on his behavior.
    Posted by: HALLELUJAH on Jul 21, 2008 at 04:59 PM
    Thank you for making examples out of the people involved. Unsportsmanlike behavior does not teach our children how to act!
    Posted by: riley on Jul 21, 2008 at 04:58 PM
    good!!! I'm glad to hear these people are banned!!
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