A umpire passed out right before a baseball game from a fentanyl overdose. Coaches typically talk down to referees and umpires for bad calls suggesting the refs are drunk, but this umpire was really high and making bad calls. Strike 3 you’re out of there!!
32-year-old Austin Beaver was arrested on October 24, 2026 after he overdosed on fentanyl at a baseball game in Mooresville, NC. Austin was the umpire of the baseball game and he has received complaints of being under the influence from coaches and parents of the players. Austin umpires at little league and adult league games.
Austin Beaver
Austin was umpiring a baseball game at Mazeppa Park, he is accused of using fentanyl before the game in the bathroom. Austin then passed out in the bathroom from the fentanyl.
Game patrons saw Austin on the floor and called 911. Medics and police had to use Narcan to revive Austin and save his life.
The baseball game was cancelled since Austin was one of the scheduled umpires to officiate the game.
Austin was taken to the hospital, an analysis of his blood showed the presence of fentanyl. Austin was then arrested charged with possession of a schedule II controlled substance (fentanyl), possession of narcotics within 1,000 feet of a park and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Austin was reported by fans and coaches multiple times for being high and under the influence during various sporting events that he was officiating, but he stayed employed as an umpire despite the complaints.
Narcan is administered to people who’ve overdosed on drugs.
Major League Baseball player Julio Urias who plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers was arrested in 2019. Julio plays pitcher. He was suspended for 20 games following his arrest on domestic battery.
