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By Fred Lucas
THE NEWS-TIMES

HARTFORD — For umpire John Simone of Danbury, the trouble started even before the girls' softball game ended.

"A parent didn't like a call, and became verbally abusive in the game," Simone said. "After the game, the guy started following me to my car shouting. I told him if he keeps following me, I would call the police."

Nearly every referee has been heckled from the stands. Some have had physical confrontations with parents, players and fans. Given the hyper-competitive environment in youth and high school sports, many state lawmakers think it's important to pass a law to protect game officials.

The House this week voted to make it a Class D felony to assault, intimidate or harass a sports official because of the performance of his or her duties. The crime would be punishable by up to five years in prison or a $5,000 fine. The measure, which moves to the Senate, would protect umpires, referees, judges, timekeepers and scorekeepers in youth, scholastic, college and professional sports.