N.J. Dads Caught On Video In Fist Fight Outside Youth Softball Game
SALISBURY, Md. (CBSNewYork) -- Fists flew this week outside a youth softball game, but the players had no involvement.
As CBS2's Alice Gainer reported, the combatants were two New Jersey fathers – and the fight was apparently over one of their daughters being kicked off the team.
The fight happened on Wednesday evening outside the opening ceremony of a youth softball tournament at the Wicomico County Youth and Civic Center in Salisbury, Maryland.
Police said Michael Barbella of Ventnor, New Jersey, challenged Michael Duffy, of Mays Landing, New Jersey to a fight via a text message earlier in the day.
Barbella then allegedly drove to confront Duffy and other parents from the softball team.
It started with a quarrel between the two men. Punches began to fly, and it turned into a knock-down, drag-out brawl.
Warning: Graphic Images And Language
Mug shots from police showed a bloody and bandaged Barbella, 48, as well as Duffy, 45.
Witness Karon Washington recorded it all on his cellphone.
"I just saw two Caucasian males going at it, so I went over there and recorded it," Washington said. "I didn't think it was going to go far."
The video has gone viral, with more than 200,000 views on YouTube. The Wicomico County, Maryland Sheriff's office has responded, and said officers could have been there sooner if someone had called for help.
"Something needs to be taken into consideration -- is somebody getting hurt? Could I call help? Could I get authorities here quickly? Could I get medical personnel here quickly?" said Wicomico County Sheriff's Lt. Tim Robinson. "These kind of things also need to be taken into consideration before you're trying to glamorize something somebody is doing."
Barbella and Duffy were both charged with assault and disorderly conduct.