Brock Ballou, a Major League Baseball umpire who has worked in the league since 2022, was robbed and assaulted in Center City Philadelphia while working a series earlier this month.
The incident occurred while Ballou was in the city to officiate a series between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Arizona Diamondbacks on April 9. Police announced over the weekend that Ballou was one of two victims targeted in separate but related events within about 30 minutes that evening, according to a report from CBS 3 Philadelphia.
The first incident took place shortly after 6:30 p.m. at a 7-Eleven store in the 1200 block of Chestnut Street. According to police, the suspect entered the store, stole several items, and punched an employee multiple times after being confronted.
Approximately 30 minutes later, around 7 p.m., the same suspect targeted Ballou on the 1600 block of Walnut Street. Ballou was walking and looking at directions on his cellphone when the suspect approached from behind and snatched the phone. Ballou then pursued the suspect, leading to a physical altercation near 16th and Walnut streets.
“The suspect approached the male and snatched his cellphone out of his hands. The victim went chasing after the male, at which time they got involved in a physical altercation at 16th and Walnut,” said Captain Jason Smith of the Philadelphia Police Department.
“They ended up on the ground, at which time the victim struck his head, causing injury. The male continued his assault, violently punching him,”
Smith added.
Umpire Brock Ballou was robbed and assaulted in Philadelphia last Thursday, per @JoeHoldenCBS3
Ballou’s phone was ripped from his hands so he chased down an alleged teenager. Ballou’s head was injured from punches, but he got his phone back and umpired the next night pic.twitter.com/f4JNRhbU6A
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) April 15, 2026
Surveillance video reviewed by investigators showed the suspect punching Ballou several times in the head. Ballou sustained a head injury after striking the pavement, though police described the injuries as relatively minor.
The attacker ultimately fled the scene without the phone, while a bystander assisted Ballou.
Police described the suspect as appearing to be in his teens and released surveillance images seeking public assistance. The suspect remains at-large as of this report.
Despite his injuries, Ballou continued his assigned duties for the Phillies-Diamondbacks series without missing any games. He umpired at first base the following night and worked behind home plate two days later.
