Deptford parents who berate Little League umpires must train to be umpires themselves

Abusive and unruly fans and parents have been creating more and more headaches for youth sports leagues in recent years.

May 4, 2023, 2:59 AM

Updated 588 days ago

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Abusive and unruly fans and parents have been creating more and more headaches for youth sports leagues in recent years.
In many places, it's created a shortage of umpires, either paid or volunteer. It seems that the increase in abuse is just not worth it to many.
For parents of Little League baseball players in Deptford Township, Gloucester County, there's a new rule: shut up or suit up.
After two volunteer referees quit just weeks into the season, league president Don Buzzuffi said any parent ejected for berating an umpire would have to train and serve as a referee for three games before being allowed back onto the grounds as a spectator.
In today's "Brian's Positively New Jersey,” Brian Donohue headed to Deptford to see how the new rule is playing out.