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TAUNTON, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Officials from the Greater Taunton Amateur Baseball Umpire Association decided not to finish out the 2023 season in the Taunton Western Little League after deeming it was no longer a safe environment for umpires.
This stems from a tense confrontation between umps and parents earlier this month where at least two officials were threatened over a call made on the diamond. Following that specific game, the GTABUA suspended all officiating for the league saying the threats breached the umpire's working contract.
TWLL President Tyler Doehler put out a response to the incident on Facebook, saying that the league will implement a zero-tolerance policy for umpire criticism moving forward. Doehler goes on to say that the parties involved in the altercation have been suspended indefinitely.
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That decision has now been made permanent for the remainder of the season, with GTABUA umpires voting unanimously to keep off the field.
In a statement to WBZ NewsRadio, the GTABUA says it wants to thank the Mayor of Taunton Shaunna O'Connell and the City Council for working to try and broker an agreement during an emergency meeting on Friday.
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