Looks like I will have to hold my righteous anger in check when I’m coaching soccer. For a misdemeanor, maybe it would be worth challenging another blown pushing call by knowingly or intentionally touching the ref “in a rude, insolent, or angry manner.” (I don’t think I’d go the bodily waste route for battery — see IC 35-42-2-1(b)(2)). But, if it means a felony rap, my team is just going to have to get shoved around for 40 minutes.
Sen. Randolph has introduced SB 8 which gives athletic officials the same enhanced protection against battery as that provided to “public safety officials” such as police officers, correctional officers, and firefighters.
An “athletic official” is a person serving as a referee, umpire, or other official at an athletic event if the person has been certified as such by a national certification program.
Most good ump and refs never let things go this far. That being said there are kids reffing soccer and baseball that need to be protected. There are to many parents and coaches living out their own athletics frustrations thru there kids. These situations can easily turn to violence. I have seen it first hand.