But as for other youth sports, usually run by community volunteers, he says he's done. I won't do it, probably because I'm a little scared. There's nobody there. The National Association of Sports Officials has begun offering assault insurance to its 19,000 umpire members. And many schools are hiring security guards to keep grown-up fans in line.
Some referees think new laws are needed.
I'm warning them there. Bob West of Spokane, Washington, suffered a concussion when a student wrestler assaulted him. West testified before Washington lawmakers that referees deserve the same added protections as police officers. A sports official puts himself in harm's way. A referee is a police officer on a sports field.