Man Writes Governor, Threatens Suit Over Umpire’s Softball Call

Saturday, Sept. 14, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

But the way he said it turned the umpire's out sign to an "outta here." He said "Jesus Christ" and got tossed.

He has written Gov. Bob Miller to complain and is considering a lawsuit, according to the Reno Gazette-Journal.

Berriochoa said he doesn't believe it was profane for him to yell "Jesus Christ" at the game earlier this month. Even if it was, players cuss all the time and don't get ejected without a warning, he claims.

He further contends it was a violation of his civil rights for the city to punish him for breaking one of the Ten Commandments.

"It's the name of a person who might have existed," Berriochoa said. "It's no different than saying 'Debbie Anderson' or 'Skip Berriochoa.' Some people might take offense and think it's blasphemous, but to me it's not."

But Brian Bessette, the city's recreation superintendent, said he stands by the umpire's decision.

Witnesses told him that Berriochoa yelled so loudly that the umpire on a nearby field stopped his game for a moment to see what was going on.

"He was removed from the game for his objectionable behavior," Bessette said. "He could've said any word, it was the manner in which he said it."

The city forbids players from using profanity and leaves it up to umpires to decide which words are bad, Bessette said.

"It's a family atmosphere at our ballparks and we try very hard to promote that atmosphere," he said. "That type of behavior cannot be tolerated."

The Rev. James Jeffrey of the Trinity Episcopal Church said taking the Lord's name in vain is unacceptable to him.

"Religous words have almost become secularized instead of maintaining their religious meaning. (But) I would not be comfortable with the words," Jeffrey said.

Berriochoa is a Sparks businessman who plays on a team sponsored by a local waterbed store. The team had to forfeit the game when he got tossed because it didn't have enough players. It was undefeated at the time.

Since then, Berriochoa also has written letters complaining about the call to the American Civil Liberties Union and Amateur Softball Association.

Berriochoa made the situation worse by threatening the umpire after he was ejected from the game, Bessette said. The umpire then banned Berriochoa for the rest of the season, which ends in two months.

Berriochoa said he merely told the umpire he wanted to talk to him after the game about his decision to remove him.