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Umpires, referees tell judiciary panel abuse is thinning official ranks; advocates seek stronger penalties
Summary
Umpires, sports‑official groups and lawmakers urged the Joint Committee on the Judiciary to approve bills to strengthen penalties and protections after witnesses described rising verbal and physical abuse that they say is discouraging new officials.
Umpires, referees and representatives of sports‑official associations told the Joint Committee on the Judiciary that growing abuse from spectators and parents has reduced the pool of officials and disrupted youth and scholastic schedules. They urged passage of bills including House Bill 16‑25 to create stronger penalties for assaults and aggravated harassment of sports officials.
Dennis Shay of the Massachusetts…
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