Man charged with punching youth baseball coach in Antioch

The traditionally cordial end-of-the-game handshake between baseball teams turned ugly during an Antioch Youth Little League game in Antioch on Sunday.

As the 13- and 14-year-old players and their coaches were congratulating each other, an enraged parent punched the opposing coach in the face.

Scott Knudsvig, 42, of Bristol, Wis., was arrested and charged with battery and criminal damage to property after hitting the coach, a 19-year-old Ingleside man, according to Antioch police Cmdr. Jim Ruth.

The blow broke the coach's glasses and knocked him to the ground. Ruth said the coach had swelling around his right eye and abrasions on his neck and collar bone, but refused medical treatment.

Knudsvig told police that the coach was rude to his son and made inappropriate comments. He says he pushed the coach but didn't punch him.

Ruth said the fight was brief and ended when a number of parents stepped in and broke it up.

The game was played at the Antioch Upper Grade School.

Neither Knudsvig or the coach could be reached for comment on Tuesday.

Knudsvig has a June 10 court date at the branch court in Round Lake.