A 63-year-old United States military veteran who was umpiring a Kissimmee high school baseball game was knocked unconscious by a parent who says he was “protecting his child.”
During a press conference on Wednesday, May 3, Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez shared details on the incident, which took place on April 18 at Liberty High School (4250 Pleasant Hill Road).
According to Lopez, during the baseball game, one of the players started to verbally argue with the umpire.
After the two exchanged words, and between innings, the umpire began walking towards a gate, waiting for another umpire to replace him.
In video obtained from OCSO, the umpire is seen walking through the gate and turning his back. Shortly after he turns his back, the father of the player who was arguing is seen leaving the stands, walking towards the umpire, and punching him.
The umpire, who is disabled, is seen falling to the ground while players, coaches, and another umpire rush to assist him.
According to Lopez, the father, who was identified as 41-year-old Jorge Aponte-Gonzalez, was arrested on Wednesday, May 3 on multiple charges, including battery.
During video of his arrest, Aponte-Gonzalez is seen smiling. Sheriff Lopez says he showed “no remorse” for his actions and told him that he was “protecting his child.”
Lopez says the umpire, whose son is also an umpire, has a passion for baseball and umpires because he “likes to give back to his community.”
“He loves to dedicate his time to baseball and to kids,” said Lopez.