
Photo Caption: Wade Campbell, of St. Paul, says the dispute with his son's Little League coach over how much the 12-year-old got to play has been blown out of proportion. Campbell admits cursing at the coach but says he never threatened him. (JOHN DOMAN, Pioneer Press)
I know there's been countless stories about crazy parents and youth sports, but I had to bring this up. I'm sure you've read about it, but this one hits a little too close to home. The best part, this guy was in trouble a few years ago for attacking his neighbor with his snow-blower. How is that even possible? And what is the sequence of events, in your mind, which leads to attacking someone with a snow-blower? Amazing. Anyway, here's the story from the Pioneer Press.
Dad charged with threatening Little League coach
BY MARA H. GOTTFRIED
Pioneer Press
Article Last Updated: 06/26/2007 01:01:37 PM CDT
Prosecutors this morning charged the father of a St. Paul Little Leaguer with threatening to shoot his son's coach.
Police arrested Wade Campbell, 46, Sunday after he called the coach and told him "he was going to be shot down like a dog and that they 'f----- with the wrong East Sider," according to a criminal complaint charging Campbell with making terroristic threats.
Campbell, of St. Paul, disputed the allegations Monday during an interview in the Ramsey County jail. He cursed at the coach, Noe Ambriz Jr., but never threatened him, Campbell said. He said he was frustrated his 12-year-old son didn't see more playing time.
The trouble began Friday at a Parkway Little League game in St. Paul's Dayton's Bluff neighborhood.
Campbell was yelling and swearing in the dugout area and had to be asked to leave, the complaint said. Campbell said Monday he only cursed softly at his son.
Campbell's conduct continued in the stand and league officials asked Campbell to leave the field, the complaint said.
On Saturday, Ambriz and his family returned to their St. Paul home from another baseball game, in which Campbell's son hadn't played, the complaint said. Ambriz noticed Campbell was in the yard of a neighbor, who is a friend of Campbell, the complaint said.
Campbell didn't say anything to the Ambrizes, but continuously stared at them, the complaint said. Campbell left the area after about two hours, but called the Ambrizes' home twice and hung up both times, the complaint said.
On Sunday, the Ambrizes saw Campbell pull up in his vehicle behind their house and stop, the complaint said. After a short stay, he left the area, the complaint said. About 20 minutes later, Campbell called the Ambrizes and made the threat about shooting them, the complaint said.
Campbell also said, "I'll be over in five minutes," the complaint said.