After too many verbal confrontations and assaults on officials and coaches in Hawai'i sports, it was heartening to see them both get some much overdue backup.

In the space of two weeks, both a circuit court judge and the Hawai'i High School Athletic Association stood up to reinforce the message that abuse of game officials and coaches won't be tolerated.

Along with a stern lecture, Circuit Court judge Michael Wilson Wednesday sentenced the parent of a former Castle High football player to five years probation, 100 hours of community service, anger management classes and $900 in fines for punching a Castle High assistant coach last fall.

You got the feeling that had the victim not written a letter recommending against jail time, that the sentence could have been stiffer.

Meanwhile, earlier his month the HHSAA mandated state tournament bans against two Kealakehe boys soccer coaches accused of verbally confronting tournament officials. One coach was banned for five years and another for two years.

Through these actions you would hope the message is getting around that there are lines that parents, fans and coaches can't cross and those who fail to heed the warning will face the consequences. The stiffer the better. It is a statement that needs to resonate in the youth leagues, where such behavior can begin, as well.

"I think those will definitely help," said Keith Amemiya, executive director of the HHSAA.

It is necessary that they do serve as deterrents. While more than 30,000 high school students participate in sports in the state with appropriate levels of officials and coaches, according to the HHSAA, even a few incidents of intimidation are still too many. Too often incidents go unreported either out of fear or because the victims simply throw up their hands in frustration and walk away from ever serving again.

Taking blindside punches or being subjected to heated confrontations from revved up participants and bystanders is not what officials and coaches sign up for.

They are already paid at levels far below their value. Many serve in their capacities more out of love and a sense of giving back to their sports and communities than for the meager paychecks they provide. Intimidation and violence only serve to drive too many out of the games they serve.

That's why, heading into another year of high school sports it was timely and necessary that those in positions of authority and responsibility served notice they are watching out for the backs of officials and coaches. A message that now has a chance to come through loud and clear.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.