Player Threatens Umpire In Elmhurst: Cops

ELMHURST, IL — A softball player threatened to attack an umpire in Elmhurst last month because the umpire threw out one of his teammates, police said.

Originally, police gave the player, identified a man from Hammond, Indiana, a ticket citing him on a battery charge. Upon further investigation, the police voided the ticket and obtained a warrant for his arrest on a charge of aggravated assault.

Through a public records request, Patch obtained a full police report on the incident. The police redacted his name from the documents, but they released his name in a media report last month.

According to the police report, he said the umpire was "horrible," but he denied touching him in their confrontation, which was about 8 p.m. Oct. 19 at Berens Park.

The umpire told police he ejected the other player because he threw his bat. He said he was afraid that he would batter him and that Hurt bumped him shoulder to shoulder, the report said.

Police obtained a five-second video of the confrontation. He could be he heard telling the umpire that he would "f--- you up, b---- a--, mother f-----," police said. He does not appear to have touched the umpire, while two players tried to pull him away, police said.

Witnesses, including an Elmhurst Park District supervisor, said he did not strike the umpire, according to the report.

The umpire told police he was upset that he only received a ticket.

The police said they voided the ticket and replaced it with a misdemeanor charge because he threatened the umpire and that the umpire had a reasonable expectation of becoming a victim of battery.

The warrant was obtained Oct. 28, with his bond amount set at $5,000.