Man Accused of Attacking Umpire Pleads Not Guilty
A Garden Grove man accused of misdemeanor assault and battery in connection with an alleged attack on a 16-year-old umpire at a Little League game pleaded not guilty Thursday in West Orange County Municipal Court.
Robert Foster, 40, surrendered to the district attorney’s office Thursday after the Huntington Beach police received a warrant for his arrest.
The umpire, C. J. Ellson, reported to police that he was working a Seaview Little League game at Edison High School in Huntington Beach on June 15 when Foster grew angry over two calls that went against his 15-year-old son’s team.
Ellson said Foster came onto the field while the game was in progress and hit him four times before spectators could intervene. Foster denies hitting Ellson and says he only entered the field after the umpire challenged him to a fight.
Following his arraignment, Foster was released on his own recognizance pending a pretrial hearing.
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