President of Clark County baseball, softball club resigns after umpire dispute

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

The president of a Clark County baseball and softball program for kids resigned her position after taking partial blame for an argument with a teen umpire that resulted in a Clark County Sheriff’s investigation.

Kristen Hutson, who was the president for Possum Recreation Program, posted on Facebook that she was defending her child when she got into a spat with a teenage umpire Monday night at a baseball field at Possum Elementary School.

MORE: 'I kept telling her to be quiet': Clark County teen umpire speaks out about on-field dispute

“I am sincerely embarrassed and apologetic. I did not represent our association well that evening,” Hutson wrote on Facebook in a post on the organization’s page. “For that reason, I am voluntarily resigning from my position. I want the best for the children and parents of our association. I will continue to reassure the county league and other associations that this is an isolated incident that does not represent Possum or who we are.”

Clark County deputies were dispatched to the baseball field on West Possum Road, just before 9 p.m. Monday on reports an umpire was assaulted by an adult. The umpire reportedly hit his head in the fall, according to the dispatch from the sheriff’s office.

There were varying accounts about whether the teenager was pushed or tripped during the argument. The Clark County Prosecutor’s Office said Wednesday that due to the different accounts, no charges would be filed in the case.

Hutson said the incident began when her child and the umpire’s little brother got into a conflict off the field. She attempted to confront the umpire about the situation.

After a heated conversation, an assistant coach attempted to separate her and the umpire, she said.

“He was trying to protect me as the umpire was shouting inappropriately and charging me,” Hutson wrote.

“I will not hide the fact that I continued to shout inappropriately right back,” Hutson said. “The only thing the coaches were attempting to do, was get the umpire to take his money and leave. As the assistant coach had his hands up the umpire was walking backwards. If you look outside the dugout there is a cement block. At that time the umpire tripped. I assure you he was never shoved. I don’t care what people think they saw. If they say anything other than him tripping … they are wrong. But, from different viewpoints I can see how that may have interpreted a shove.”

That umpire, Dustin Massie, told this news organization that he was pushed to the ground.

“I kept telling her to be quiet,” Massie said. “And he was standing between us when I finally told her to shut up like in a mean way because she wasn’t listening, he went ahead and shoved me onto the ground.”

Regardless, Hutson said she hopes the organization can move on and the kids can get on with playing baseball and softball.

“I am in no way justifying the way I behaved,” Hutson said. “I am not only apologetic to the association but the entire district.

I am asking the county board, umpire associations, School district, Possum Association, and every association in the league to hold me responsible and solely me.”

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