Umpire Attacked

espn ^ | 4-16-2003 | ESPN

[kjam22]

Royals say they won't play unless security is improved

ESPN.com news services

CHICAGO -- First base umpire Laz Diaz turned to watch a fly ball that was hit along the right-field line. A split-second later, a fan was grabbing him around the waist.

Just seven months after Kansas City coach Tom Gamboa was assaulted by a father and son who'd run on the same field, another fan at the Chicago White Sox's home park was shockingly attacking Diaz.

The fan entered the field not far from where Gamboa had been surprised and then pummeled in the first base coach's box last September.

"We spoke about it in the locker room, this is where Tom Gamboa got attacked. We thought nothing was going to happen, but it was a full moon out there," Diaz said.

"He just grabbed me by my waist and that's when I turned him around and got him down ... and everybody jumped on him."

The fan who attacked umpire Laz Diaz might be charged with aggravated battery, a felony, a Chicago Police spokeswoman said.

Immediately after Carlos Lee flied out to end Chicago's eighth inning, a man ran on the field and tried to tackle Diaz. Security and players rushed to the aid of the 40-year-old Diaz, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. The fan was quickly taken away and Diaz, who was not hurt, finished the game.

"When I looked over, there was one of the fans from the stands and I just got him off me," Diaz said. "I just turned around and got him off me. The good hand-to-hand combat they taught me worked."

Several Royals players could be seen kicking and stomping the fan while he was pinned down. When the attacker was put into a police car, his head was wrapped with a white bandage, soaked with blood near the right temple.

[conservativeinbflo.]

what a numbskull.

[cloud8]

Ya think alcohol may have been involved?

[kjam22]

I imagine. There was quite a bit more to the article. I clipped it for space purposes.

[kinghorse]

There has to be some sort of gang initiation thing going on in the neighborhood. I would put a law on the books that makes aggravated assault of sporting event participants a crime with major league time (pardon the pun) to put a stop to this.

[Dazedcat]

What exactly is the problem at that ballpark? Two incidents like this only several months apart. Same visiting ballclub, another deranged fan.

To think they knock Yankee fans for being out of control and rude.....pffttt.

[Izzy Dunne]

Several Royals players could be seen kicking and stomping the fan while he was pinned down.

I smell a lawsuit coming...

[KantianBurke]

Diaz, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. The fan was quickly taken away and Diaz, who was not hurt, finished the game. "When I looked over, there was one of the fans from the stands and I just got him off me," Diaz said. "I just turned around and got him off me. The good hand-to-hand combat they taught me worked."

[kjam22]

A law on the books would be good.... but maybe allowing a few more kicks to the head would eliminate the need to take the guy to try the guy in court.

[kjam22]

What exactly is the problem at that ballpark? Two incidents like this only several months apart

I didnt' copy everything from the espn site. If you check it out it talks about several other instances.

Hopefully this won't become a past time for people wanting their 15 minutes of fame.

[johniegrad]

I wonder if this guy enjoyed his beating as much as Robert Fisk to whom he bears a striking resemblance.

[kjam22]

Hare, hold muh hotdog and watch this?

[kinghorse]

Being further bloodied only raises the a##ho!e'2 status in the gang I suspecet.

[newgeezer]

I hear ESPN has rolled the footage of the attack numerous times. These idiots are doing it for notoriety, simply because they are not convinced the penalty outweighs the 15 seconds (more like 2 or 3 days) of fame.

What's the answer? Make the penalty such that it far outweighs the chance for fame.

My first thought was rubber bullets at the ballpark. But, not knowing the trajectory characteristics of the things, I wonder if a miss could pose a problem to fans in the stands.

[kjam22]

My first thought was rubber bullets at the ballpark

My first thought was just let the ball players use their bats.

[1L]

but maybe allowing a few more kicks to the head

Absolutely. They should take any video of this and air it on all screens in the stadium as a PSA.

[1L]

ESPN has rolled the footage of the attack numerous times.

I agree with your thoughts here. ESPN should air the tape, but muddy the guy's face and make it clear that they will do than on any of these deals.

[Catspaw]

I thought this was a rerun when I saw the tape this morning. Unbelievable--and what a moron.

[Consort]

Attacking an umpire is probably a bad thing.

[Cagey]

An Atomic Wedgie!