In a topic that may or may not be interesting to some people… and wanting to do it to a ref....
Texas has an interesting and probably a little known law on that.
Texas has 2 class C misdemeanor assault charges. A class C is basically equal to a traffic citation. It carries a maximum of $500 fine (as little as $1) and no jail time.
They are assault by contact or threat (but not a threat of death or serious injury). By contact is touching someone like poking your finger in their chest or shoving someone but not causing any injury. By threat is by saying something like, I am about to come over there and whip your butt.
IF.... any of those class C assaults are committed against a “sports participant”, it is a B misdemeanor carrying up to 6 months in jail and/or up to a $2,000 fine. A sports participant is a coach, player, referee, etc.
So..... putting your finger on a ref or yelling to an umpire, make another call like that and I am about to whip your.....
Can carry a rather stiff penalty.