An umpire has accused the mayor of Monee, Illinois, of breaking his jaw during a fight at a Little League baseball game over the weekend.
The Will County Sheriff’s Office said it is investigating whether charges should be filed against Mayor Jay Farquhar, who coached one of the teams, a local Fox News affiliate reported.
The mayor reportedly got upset after the umpire gave a 7-year-old girl an extra strike.
“I was stunned. I was stunned. Because it all came down, I gave a 7-year-old girl an extra swing of the bat. It’s a children’s game,” umpire Tim Nelson told Fox News.
“Next thing I know I got somebody coming up behind me screaming at me that I have to follow the rules,” he said. “He went to turn away from me and he looked me in the eye and said ’you’re nothing but a drunk.’”
Mr. Nelson said before he knew it, he was punched in the face.
“I got hit in the jaw. And I went back and the coaches rushed him away. I didn’t even know he was the mayor,” said.
Mr. Farquhar refused to speak with Fox, but his attorney said the mayor was “deeply saddened that this unfortunate situation occurred. … [He] does not tolerate this type of behavior. At this time, Mr. Farquhar is not presently interested in pursuing any criminal charges or any other legal action.”
Mr. Nelson, who had his jaw wired shut shortly after his Fox interview, was dumbfounded after hearing the statement.
“Now he’s making statements like I’m the bad guy? And he says he doesn’t tolerate this behavior? Well, he was the behavior,” Mr. Nelson said.
The head of the Monee Little League told Fox that the mayor has been banned from coaching and attending baseball games in the league.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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