The Board of Directors for Athens Little League Baseball has notified parents about the arrest of an umpire on child molestation charges: James Long is 56 years old, from Athens. A report to the police department at the University of Georgia led to his arrest in Madison County, where he faces counts that include child molestation and rape. The note to parents says Athens Little League has never received any report or complaint regarding Long during his time as an umpire in Athens.
From Athens Little League…
Athens Little League Board of Directors has just been made aware that one of ALL's longstanding umpires, James Long, was arrested August 2nd in Madison County on charges of aggravated child molestation, child molestation, rape and statutory rape.
These charges involve a minor residing in Madison County. This child has never played baseball or softball with our league.
Athens Little League has never received any report or complaint regarding James during his time with our league.
The Board is taking this very seriously and James will no longer be involved with any events related to Athens Little League. We have no knowledge of any inappropriate behavior involving James or anyone else occurring in the setting of an Athens Little League program or at Holland Park.
Athens Little League takes the safety of your player very seriously and has our own Safety Officer who ensures that background checks are run annually on both coaches, volunteers and umpires. National Little League requires background checks on umpires in order for ALL to be sanctioned.
If you ever feel like your child is or has been in a dangerous situation at one of our programs or facilities, please let someone on the Board know immediately and/or call the police.
