[QUOTE]
Originally posted by Gre144
[B]
Quote:
Originally posted by bluezebra
"On vary rare occassions it is impossible to ignore a belligerent fan and if you do ignore him the situation can get progessively worse. I think that if a fan is out of control, the coaches need to remove him or they need to call the police. If he can't be removed than the game should be forfeited. In short, in baseball as in real life you can't always ignore situations.
Greg"
By what rule would you forfeit the game?
Bob
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I don't know of a rule, but what would you do with a fan that is bothering you, other fans, players etc and is cursing at the world at the top of his lungs? Ignoring doesn't always solve the problems, that is my only point.
I had one game where these 3 older men showed up in the stands and they were extremely drunk. I had trouble concentrating because they were making obscene comments. You could also tell that other people were uncomfortable but know one took the initiative to get the problem solved.
I also do middle school basketball and I work with a partner that doesn't hestitate to tell unruly fans to leave. He doesn't start the game again until they leave the premises. I have seen this guy toss fans out of the game in basketball with great success. By not ignoring a volitle situation, this official, by making sure the fan is removed, has made sure that a bad situation doesn't turn into a worse situation.
Of course you shouldn't initiate conversation with a fan when at all possible but I think it is not good advise to give new umpires the impression that ignoring an unruly fan will always sovle their problems.
Greg