When refs fight back against coaches/parents. plus, the ongoing debate about kids playing up in competition

Remember that awful incident from a few weeks ago when the 72-year-old ump in Branchburg, NJ was punched in the face by an angry coach during a kids’ baseball game? As you might recall, the ump suffered a broken jaw…he had to have his jaw wired shut.

 But he’s now fighting back; he’s filed a lawsuit against that aggressive coach, seeking monetary damages for his pain and suffering and medical costs.

 This is from Sports Illustrated’s reporting of the incident:

 James Neely, a 72-year-old umpire, filed the law suit against Jerry Otero, the coach of a Staten Island-based travel team, seeking damages for injuries sustained in the incident. Neely sustained a concussion and his jaw was fractured in two places, resulting in his jaw being wired shut.

The lawsuit also names Otero’s travel team, team president Frank Cambria, the U.S. Amateur Baseball League and 10 John Does or parents from the Staten Island team who “verbally encouraged and/or fostered the assault” as defendants as well. After Neely was struck, the lawsuit alleges the parents continued their verbal harassment, including taunting Neely and that he "got what he deserved." That’s why they are included in the lawsuit.

Then, later in the show, I talk about a new study on the care and handling of young talented athletes and whether it makes sense for them to “move up” and play against older athletes. There are both plusses as well as minuses that need to be considered by the coach, parent, and child before this decision is made. Listen here: The Sports Edge with Rick Wolff