SI Youth Baseball Coach Punches NJ Umpire, Gets Charged: Officials

NEW YORK CITY — A youth baseball coach from Staten Island surrendered to New Jersey police to face accusations he punched a 72-year-old umpire in the face.

Jerry Otero, 40, of Staten Island, faces two assault charges in Somerset County after his arrest Tuesday, authorities said.

The charges stem from a June 4 altercation during a 13U baseball game, officials said.

Otero — who U.S. Amateur Baseball League officials said had been drinking between innings — was ejected from the game after arguing a call with an umpire and using foul language, authorities said.

"This coach, who is built like a linebacker, then proceeds to walk up to the 72-year-old veteran umpire with 35+ years of experience umpiring games and sucker punch him in the face," according to a USABL post that accompanied a video by an another coach was clearly aghast by the incident.

The older man's jaw was fractured in two places and had to be wired shut, and requires extensive dental surgery, according to USABL officials. He also had a concussion, officials said.