WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – A youth travel baseball tournament erupted into a “bench‑clearing brawl" Saturday evening, leaving a 21‑year‑old umpire hospitalized and three people arrested, according to the Winter Haven Police Department.
Officers were called around 6:20 p.m. to the Chain of Lakes Park Complex Baseball Fields on Cypress Gardens Boulevard, where they found the injured umpire and his father, who had been watching from the stands.
Police said the confrontation began after the umpire issued a verbal warning to Marcos Antonio Aballi, 25, a coach from Kissimmee. Moments later, the umpire’s father was approached by Yosmany Guzman Fernandez, 38, also of Kissimmee, who was upset about the warning. Fernandez, who is a father of the player on the team who received the warning, pushed the man and punched him in the face, according to the department. Investigators noted the two had previous negative encounters.
According to a news release, the umpire left the field to intervene after seeing his father being attacked, but was punched from behind by Aballi, causing him to fall to the ground. Members of Aballi’s team then emptied the dugout and joined the fight. A witness attempted to shield the umpire and was also struck.
Fernandez’s 17‑year‑old son, a player on the team, allegedly kicked the umpire while he was on the ground. Witnesses pulled him away, but police said he immediately re‑entered the fight.
The umpire was taken to a hospital for treatment. His father declined medical attention.
“There is absolutely no room for parents to ruin what should be a great showcase of sports talent during these tournaments,” Police Chief Vance Monroe said in a statement. “The talent of players should be in the spotlight — not the actions of these instigators.”
All involved are legal U.S. citizens, police said.
The following charges were filed:
- Marcos Antonio Aballi, 25 — Battery on a sports official during an event. Transported to the Polk County Jail.
- Yosmany Guzman Fernandez, 38 — Battery on a sports official during an event and simple battery. Transported to the Polk County Jail.
- Fernandez’s son — Battery on a sports official during an event. Transported to the Juvenile Assessment Center.