NEW ORLEANS -- A Franklinton man was arrested Tuesday night at a Folsom ballpark after he allegedly punched an official May 16 at a girls' softball game.

Dale Huffman III, 35, faces charges of battery and disturbing the peace.

According to investigators, police responded May 16 to a report of a disturbance at Henry Keller Park. When they arrived, they found Lacombe Youth Association commissioner Harold Lewis, 57, with injuries to his face.

Lewis told police that he had asked a woman to leave after she became hostile following her daughter's team's loss. Witnesses said the woman's husband, Huffman, intervened and struck Lewis twice in the face.

Huffman disputes that version of events, saying Lewis hit him first in the back of the head when he tried to walk away from the altercation.

Detectives secured arrest warrants last week but were unable to locate Huffman until Tuesday, when he was found at another athletic event in Folsom.

Huffman was booked into the St. Tammany Parish Jail and released on bond a few hours later.

Battery of an athletic official is punishable by up to six months in jail and a $500 fine. Disturbing the peace carries a maximum 90 days in jail and a $100 fine.

Arrested Man Also Plans To File Charges