A youth softball game turned chaotic on Saturday night when Coach Joel Gonzalez verbally and physically attacked a female umpire during a Protect Our Nation’s Youth International Softball League match.
Parents who were watching their girl play were left stunned as the incident unfolded on the field.
During the game, the female umpire made a call, ruling an obstruction. This decision angered Joel Gonzalez, a coach for the RGV Huskies.
According to a criminal complaint, Gonzalez rushed onto the field to argue with the umpire. When she tried to explain her call if not Gonzalez responded with foul language, escalating the situation.
The umpire ejected Gonzalez from the game due to his behavior.
Coach Joel Gonzalez Pushes Umpire to Ground During Softball Game, Leading to Arrest and Ban!
Following that, a video footage evidence shows the two briefly walking away from each other before meeting again near home plate. Gonzalez then nudged the umpire with his chest.
The other umpire, who was the female umpire’s father, stepped in to separate them and lead Gonzalez back to the dugout.
Despite efforts to calm things down, Gonzalez refused to back off. As the female umpire walked away, he ran toward her and slammed into her, causing her to fall to the ground.
She was holding her umpire helmet at the time, and the fall pinched her fingers in the metal wire, causing injury.
McAllen Police quickly arrested Joel Gonzalez and charged him with assault causing bodily injuries. He was wearing a red, white, and blue shirt, which matched the one in his mugshot.
Later, The Protect Our Nation’s Youth Softball League responded swiftly, banning Gonzalez from ever coaching on their fields again.
The next day, they added extra security at the ballpark to ensure the safety of players and parents.
Dalinda Gonzalez-Alcantar, CEO of the McAllen Boys & Girls Club, where the game took place, released a statement saying:
The safety of our community is our top priority. We do not condone harmful words or actions. All protocols were followed, and the situation was handled by law enforcement.
Meanwhile, the incident has raised concerns about sportsmanship and safety in youth sports. Likewise, so far, the RGV Huskies and Joel Gonzalez have not yet commented on the incident.
