A fight over cheering at a youth softball game in Sugar Land, Texas, left a man unconscious Saturday night. The United States Fastpitch Association (USFA) says everyone it determines took part in the brawl is banned for life from its events.
What we know, per KPRC and a probable cause affidavit:
- Sugar Land police responded at about 7:32 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24, to Imperial Park, 7750 E. U.S. 90A, after a report of an assault near field No. 4.
- Investigators say it started when Kiarious Hall, there to cheer on his daughter's team, argued with another man about his cheering.
- A second man then stepped in. Hall told police that man poked him in the chest, and Hall responded by punching him in the face.
- Cellphone video reviewed by investigators allegedly shows Hall hitting the man with a metal water bottle. The man then fell, hit his head on the sidewalk and lost consciousness.
- The affidavit also describes a physical fight involving Hall, the first man and Jazmine Hall, who investigators say threw punches to help her husband.
- Both Halls were arrested and booked into the Fort Bend County Jail.
- Jazmine Hall was charged with misdemeanor assault causing bodily injury. The affidavit did not list a specific charge for Kiarious Hall.
- The Fort Bend District Attorney's Office told KPRC 2 that prosecutors need the injured man's medical records before deciding whether to upgrade charges.
- Jazmine Hall resigned from her job at Lamar Consolidated ISD effective Monday, Oct. 26, the district confirmed.
The league's response
USFA announced the lifetime bans in a statement, saying violence has no place in youth sports and won't be tolerated. "Our young athletes deserve better from all of us," the association said, adding that its priority is a safe, positive environment for athletes and families. It also voiced support for the families affected.
The association did not name anyone it plans to ban. Per its announcement, the bans apply to those USFA determines participated in the physical altercation.
Why it matters
Every sideline has a guy who thinks his cheering is the soundtrack to the game, and every sideline has another guy who disagrees. Usually that ends in a cold stare and a lawn chair relocation. This one ended with an ambulance-worthy sidewalk and two arrests, all over the volume of a parent at a kids' game.
A lifetime ban is the nuclear option for a travel-ball organization, and it's the kind of policy referees and league admins have wanted enforced for years. Whether USFA's list ends up matching the arrest report is the next thing to watch.
Source: KPRC