Buffalo Man Charged After Umpire Hurt in Broome County

A man from Buffalo got angry after a softball game in the Town of Dickinson. It happened on July 6th, 2025. A 68-year-old umpire named Carlos Chaluisant was walking to his car when the man came up to him.

The Fight

Police say Leonard Wackowski yelled at the umpire about calls made during the game. Then, he knocked the umpire down by kicking his legs. After that, police say he got on top of the umpire and hit him, hurting him. You can read more about the incident here.

The Charges

A grand jury charged Wackowski with assault on July 29, 2025. This is a serious crime in New York State.

What Happens Now

Wackowski went to court and said he is not guilty. He is now in the Broome County Jail.

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The Case

The New York State Police looked into what happened. A lawyer from the Broome County District Attorney’s Office is handling the case.

Important to Know

Being charged with a crime does not mean the person is guilty. Wackowski will have a chance to defend himself in court.

Event to Support Officials on August 8th

Local leaders are having a photo event at BAGSAI (Greenlight) Field this Friday, August 8th at 2 p.m. They want umpires and referees to come in their uniforms to show they support a bill that needs to be introduced to help protect officials like Chaluisant.

What the Bill Wants

The bill wants to make going after a sports official into a more serious crime, not just a small slap on the wrist. This can help deter people from attacking officials, and it is time for this bill to move forward

How You Can Help

If you think officials deserve better protection, you can sign the petition. This will help New York lawmakers realize that this is a change that is long overdue. Remember: Without the stripes, there are no stars.