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By ERIN MCLAUGHLIN
Sept. 2, 2011
Police in Florida have filed charges against four people for brawling at a football game -- all over a disputed call in a Sarasota Little League game.
The Aug. 27 game between two teams of 13- and 14-year-olds turned violent when one of the Sarasota Gators' coaches came off the sideline and, according to the police, began verbally assaulting the referee, Jayme Ream, who then ended the game. The coach responded by throwing a water bottle at the ref, prompting other people to join the melee.
The brawl grew as people continued to come off the sideline, including a 14-year-old Gators player who tackled the ref to the ground.
In a press conference today, the referee, who fractured his shoulder in the fight, says he believes emotions simply got out of control during the game, but he plans to continue officiating in the league.
Sarah Kenniff, a Sarasota County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman, says four suspects, including three coaches and one player, each face a charge of battery against a sports official, which is a felony in Florida. One suspect is also charged with misdemeanor assault on a coach from the opposing team, the Northport Huskies. The charges against the 14-year-old player were filed in juvenile court.
According to Andrew Williams, public relations director for the Mid-Florida Football and Cheerleading Conference, the Gators' season was canceled and the team was suspended and disbanded, which Williams says is the most severe action the Conference could take. The league president, James Hogan, says the players will be allowed to play with other teams, but those involved in the fight have been expelled from the Conference for life.
Phone calls to representatives for the Gators and the Huskies have not been returned.
"We are a big league, and you can't control people. We can only take steps to prevent this from happening. We are asking adults involved in the league to be responsible and respectful and be an example for the children," Williams said, calling the incident an isolated one they hope to avoid in the future.
This isn't the first time a youth sporting event has turned violent. The National Association of Sports Officials keeps an extensive list of violence against officials at such events. Perhaps the most infamous incident occurred at a youth hockey practice in 2000. A fight between two parents after the practice left one man dead and the other in prison for 10 years.
In this case, officials say all those involved were cooperating with police. And Williams says the most important thing everyone needs to remember is, "It's football. It's just a game."
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