Police: Coach punched female player after loss

FISHERS, Ind. (WISH) - Punching a 17-year-old female athlete in the face led to the arrest of a 47-year-old coach, Fishers Police Department officials said Tuesday.

The incident happened just after 1:30 p.m. Monday at The Indiana Fieldhouse Sports Complex, 11825 Technology Drive.

UPDATE | Coach won't be charged.

The 17-year-old told police her basketball coach was verbally abusing her after her team lost a game in a tournament meant to allow young players the chance to impress college scouts. The incident escalated, and the coach, 47-year-old Fred E. Freeman, punched her in the face and threw her to the ground, the girl told officers. Once on the ground, the girl said the coach got on top of her and put his hands around her throat.

Witnesses told police the incident started when two players from the Wisconsin Stealers got into an argument about a recent loss. Freeman then jumped in, witnesses said, but instead of breaking up the fight, he hit the girl and threw her to the ground - all while his own daughter was pleading with him to stop.

Officers found scratches and abrasions on the girl, and a parent present at the time said she saw Freeman hit the girl.

Investigators tracked down Freeman at a restaurant, where he was dining with the rest of the team. Police said he admitted to restraining the girl but said he was the victim.

Officers arrested Freeman, of Hartford, Wis., on a preliminary charge of battery, a Class A misdemeanor. He was released Tuesday from the Hamilton County Jail after a judge waived his $5,000 bond. He faces a preliminary charge of battery, a Class A misdemeanor, which could carry up to one year in prison and up to a $5,000 fine.

Organizers said the team withdrew from tournament, which lasts through Wednesday, because it no longer had a coach, and the players all went home Monday with their parents.

The incident left organizers of the 70-team, four-day tournament scrambling for answers.

"One of the witnesses said that it had been brewing for a little while, so it's evidently something that occurred prior to coming here and then exploded here," said David Clark, Fishers Fieldhouse manager.