Florida parent sucker punches umpire during high school baseball game: police

A Florida man was arrested on Wednesday after he attacked a 63-year-old disabled veteran who served as an umpire in his son’s high school baseball game last month, police say.

Jorge Aponte-Gonzalez, 41, was arrested and charged with felony battery and disruption of a school function after the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office said he punched umpire Ray Mora during a game at Liberty High School in Kissimmee, Fla., on April 18. 

“One of the players started to verbally argue with the umpire, exchanging words. So the umpire is obviously going to maintain control of the game, because that’s what they are there to do – to make sure kids learn all about sportsmanlike conduct,” Sheriff Marco Lopez said during a press conference.

RAYS PITCHER ZACH EFLIN FORCED TO TAKE OFF WEDDING RING AFTER UMPIRES THREATEN TO EJECT HIM

Video of the altercation shows an unsuspecting Mora walking away from the field between innings as Aponte-Gonzalez approaches him from behind. 

“As his back is turned … one of the high school students’ fathers that’s in the game, leaves the stands, walks directly toward the umpire and just knocks him out. Just knocks him out right there on the ground,” Lopez said. 

“The kid was being disruptive, so the umpire’s like, ‘Hey, tone it down,’ maintaining control,” Lopez said. “They went back and forth a little bit. I don’t know exactly what was exchanged, but … that is what upset the father.”

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Aponte-Gonzalez told law enforcement he was “defending my kid,” but Lopez said during the press conference that he showed no remorse. 

“This umpire is a 63-year-old man,” Lopez said. “He’s a veteran. A United States military veteran. He does this because he has passion for baseball, and he likes to give back to his community. He loves to dedicate his time to baseball and kids.”

Aponte-Gonzalez was not in police custody as of Friday, according to online jail records. 

 

Source – https://www.foxnews.com/sports/florida-parent-sucker-punches-umpire-during-high-school-baseball-game-police

For consideration of being featured on WallstreetPR, contact: Editor@Wallstreetpr.com

Please make sure to read and completely understand our disclaimer at https://www.wallstreetpr.com/disclaimer. FOR EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY; NOT INVESTMENT ADVICE. Any content posted on our website is for educational and informational purposes only and should NOT be construed as a securities-related offer or solicitation, or be relied upon as personalized investment advice. WallStreetPR strongly recommends you consult a licensed or registered professional before making any investment decision. Neither WallStreetPR.com nor any of its owners or employees is registered as a securities broker-dealer, broker, investment advisor (IA), or IA representative with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, any state securities regulatory authority, or any self-regulatory organization. WallStreetPR often gets compensated for advertisement services that are disclosed on our disclaimer located at WallStreetPR.com/Disclaimer.