Little League board bans coach indefinitely for umpire attack

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - A Little League coach has been barred from the field indefinitely for attacking two umpires after they threw out a couple of unsafe bats. <br> <br> The Madison Little League board of directors voted Monday night to ban Jason Swafford indefinitely. <br> <br> Swafford pushed, shoved and punched umpire John Garland after games Friday night. Both Garland and his 17-year-old son, Brian, also an umpire, swore out warrants for assault against Swafford on Monday. <br> <br> Swafford was arrested and later released. He did not have a telephone number listed and could not be reached for comment Tuesday. <br> <br> Under the league ban, Swafford cannot come closer than the outfield fence to watch his team play. <br> <br> Before a game Thursday, John Garland pointed out bats that Swafford&#39;s team could not use. The bats were rattling and could crack and injure someone, the umpire said. <br> <br> Brian Garland pointed out the same problem in a game on Friday night. Swafford approached both umpires after the game and hit John Garland in the back of the neck as he tried to walk away, according to the warrant. <br> <br> Swafford coaches a team for 7- and 8-year-olds and one for 9- and 10-year-olds, and he led a team to the national championship in a league for children 8 and under. <br> <br>

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