COLUMBUS, Ohio — A Columbus man who assaulted an umpire for an adult recreational softball game last year was sentenced to 30 days in jail on Monday.
According to a release from Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein, 40-year-old Gregory Roudabush will also be on probation for three years for the attack on the umpire.
The incident happened in April 2023 during an adult slowpitch softball league game at Lou Berliner Sports Park on the south side of the city.
Roudabush struck the umpire in the face after he was ejected from the game for arguing.
Players from the opposing team rushed to help and pulled Roudabush away from the umpire. No other individuals were involved in the incident.
Franklin County Municipal Court documents show Roudabush was found guilty of assault and a disorderly conduct charge was dismissed.
Klein said threatening or assaulting an official is never acceptable and applauded the judge's sentence.
“Actions have consequences, and as long as I’m City Attorney, this kind of violent, criminal behavior will not be tolerated. We cannot accept or normalize this kind of abusive and violent behavior in our community, which has become all too common and led to many good officials to leave the games the love. And let’s face it: without officials there are no games,” Klein said.
Roudabush is set to begin his 30-day sentence starting Jan. 4.
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