Charges filed against West Side man in connection with softball umpire assault

The Columbus City Attorney's office has filed misdemeanor charges against a man accused of assaulting an umpire during a recreational league softball game last week.

Gregory Roudabush, 38, of the West Side, is facing charges of misdemeanor assault and disorderly conduct.

According to Franklin County Municipal Court records, Roudabush is suspected of assaulting an umpire during an April 18 game at Lou Berliner Park.

The game was part of the city's Recreation and Parks Department adult slowpitch softball league. Roudabush had been ejected from the game for arguing with the umpire prior to hitting the umpire in the face. The incident was captured on video.

City Attorney Zach Klein's office said members of the opposing team went to the umpire's aid and pulled Roudabush away from him.

Klein, who himself refereed college basketball games for more than 20 years, called the situation a "nightmare scenario" and "part of the larger problem of why we continue to see a decline in sports officials both locally and across the country."

"The majority of sports officials aren't in it for the money but to give back to the sports they love," Klein said. "Threats and violence have no place in sports or in our community."

A warrant has been issued for Roudabush's arrest, according to court records.

bbruner@dispatch.com

@bethany_bruner

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Charges filed against man in connection with softball umpire assault