A sheriff’s deputy who was coaching a youth baseball team in Starkville has been fired after fighting an umpire during a tournament over the weekend.
Oktibbeha County Sheriff Shank Phelps announced Monday that Darrell Holley is no longer a member of the law enforcement department. Holley, who was a lieutenant with the sheriff’s office, was arrested on Sunday after a fight broke out between him and Jeff Akins.
Holley, a coach for the local 14U Sports Performance Center Select team, and Akins, an umpire for the Grand Slam tournament happening in Starkville, were spotted on camera throwing several punches after the game had concluded. A player, reported to be Holley’s son, even participated in the altercation, punching the umpire repeatedly. Both Holley and Akins face a misdemeanor charge linked to the altercation.
“Regardless of the circumstances, the OCSD will not tolerate this type of behavior,” Phelps stated. “A baseball field is supposed to be a place of fun and family; fighting has no place there.”
Grand Slam’s Mississippi state director, Mike Narmour, said that those involved in the fight will be banned from all future tournaments. Meanwhile, Sports Performance Center, a Starkville-based baseball training facility, condemned the violent incident and vowed to address the situation “appropriately.”
The Starkville Police Department is continuing to investigate the altercation. No further details are available at this time.
