This archive report was first published on 26 October 2019.
On August 6, 2019, a heated argument erupted at a Moncks Corner, South Carolina, kickball game between the Recreational Hazard team and the Toe Jammers. The umpire, Graylnn Moran Jr., made a call that would change his life forever.
According to Moran, the mayor, Michael A. Lockliear, stormed out of the dugout and began haranguing him over the call against his son, Andrew Lockliear. The mayor allegedly said, 'This will be the last time you ever represent this town.' He also claimed, 'I own this town.'
Two days later, Moran was out of his part-time umpiring job, which he attributed to the mayor's retribution. He filed a lawsuit in the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court in Berkeley County, South Carolina, against the mayor, the town, its recreation director, and the owner of the company that assigns umpires to recreational league games.
The lawsuit alleges that the mayor's actions were an abuse of power and a clear case of retaliation. Moran's lawyer, Thomas M. Fernandez, has called on South Carolina's governor and attorney general to open a misconduct investigation into the mayor's actions.
When reached for comment, the mayor denied having Moran removed from his umpiring duties and disputed the allegations of his behavior at the game. However, Moran's account is corroborated by other witnesses, including the owner of the company that assigns umpires, William Hamm, who told The Post and Courier that Moran would be able to return to the umpire rotation next season.
Moran, a 43-year-old forester and Moncks Corner resident, makes $25 for each game he umpires and $75 a night for triple-headers. He is seeking reimbursement for the cost of litigation and actual and punitive damages in the lawsuit.
