UPDATE: A Salisbury man was charged with assaulting another parent during a softball tournament Saturday.
James Leon Roberts, 41, of the 300 block of Johnstone Road, Cleveland, is charged with misdemeanor simple assault.
Officers were called to Salisbury Community Park along Hurley School Road for a fight that began just before 5 p.m. during a softball tournament, according to a Salisbury Police Department report.
Roberts said someone made a comment about his daughter — who was playing in the tournament — having cancer. He also said he was hit in the back of the head with an unknown object. Police determined a player made the comment.
A police report said Roberts struck the parent from another team. The report said Carter Lee York was punched. A coach told police Roberts was the aggressor and another witness told officials Roberts was the aggressor.
Roberts, who told police he has cancer also, was taken to the emergency room by ambulance.
Police Capt. Shelia Lingle said the victim, Carter York, went to the Rowan County Magistrate’s Office, who issued a private warrant. Roberts turned himself in.
Lingle said the fight began as a verbal argument between people from another team. According to a report, York said Roberts pushed another child to get to him and punched him in the face. York received a scratch.
Roberts was banned from the park, Lingle said.
James Roberts and his daughter, Hannah, were featured a week ago in a Post article. Hannah was diagnosed with cancer at 13 and underwent a mastectomy. James Roberts was diagnosed with a tumor in 2013.
A different softball tournament was held in Cleveland this weekend to raise funds for Hannah Roberts. Her father is expected in court for a Sept. 4 first appearance.
A Post reporter contacted the Roberts for comment. James Roberts’ wife, Anita, declined comment.
Contact reporter Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253.