We have just started a two game elimination tournament in the 11-12 year old division and i need some advice. Only one umpire is sent to do the games and the games are usually very close and parents almost always get out of control, not violently, they yell and scream, some even use profanity. What can i do to keep order over these games if this was a normal season game i would give a warning to the coach and then if they kept it up I would forfit the game but I was talkin to my head umpire and he told me not to forfit the game, now what other things could i do to control the game.

Have the ones who use profanity removed from the area.

Bob

no they werent, i should also tell you it is not a private feild we have field permits to fields in public parks. How would I go about having someone removed who used profanity

Chris23,
Is this a local tourney? Must be; I cannot imagine one ump for a sectional.
Best thing is to bring your A-game and do not listen to the fans. If you hear something that is "just wrong", and have made eye contact with the offensive fan but they continue, go to the fence and politely ask them to refrain.
That'll take care of 99.9% of the problem...I hope.
mick

Chris, YOU have obviously put yourself into a bad situation by accepting this assignment. Lacking site security and administrative assistance, the ONLY final power resource you have is forfeit of the game when a team cannot control its fans. Your assignor seems to have taken that away from you.

Mick advised to ask the crowd to refrain from vulgarity, etc when it becomes out-of-hand. I recommend you don't. Talk with the coach(es) involved and ask him to handle his fans. Direct discussion between you and the crowd will likely lead to further confrontation that you don't need.

Finally, take the question you asked here and ask it of your assignor. Let him tell you his expectations and see what his solution is. From that, you can decide if this is a league you really feel you need to be working for. That's your choice.

Just my opinion,

Freix

Where are the tournament officials? If this is a public park there should be park personnel around. If the coaches can't handle the fans, stop the game. Don't let it continue until the matter is cleared up. If you do that, the coaches and tournament officials will magically take charge.

Bob

Freix,
I'm from a small community, or group of villages, where most people live and work together, there is no where to hide notoriety, and little chance to be inconspicuous. That is posssibly why it works to treat people differently than in the big Orange and Yellow spots on the maps. ;)
mick

[QUOTE]Originally posted by mick

Quote:

Freix, I'm from a small community, or group of villages, where most people live and work together, there is no where to hide notoriety, and little chance to be inconspicuous. That is posssibly why it works to treat people differently than in the big Orange and Yellow spots on the maps. ;) mick

Mick, let's hope you are far less likely to encounter such problems then. However, even with such local notoriety, I feel there is little the official can achieve that the coach cannot (even in your scenerio). After all, his fans came to see his team, not you. There is no need for the official to start confrontation with the fans. It is more likely to come back to bite you. Some fans see you in charge of the field, not the entire situation. The may take objection to your direct intervention and get worse. Let the coach address the fans. Small town or big town scenerio, he is likely to know his own fans.

The coach is still the best avenue to achieve the desired result with the least friction.

Just my opinion,

Freix

Freix,

<li>I don't start confrontation, but I may open some brief dialogue.
<li>They all think I'm in charge, cuz of my little outfit.
<li>I'm more likely to know fan management techniques than the manager, coach not withstanding.

What you say makes sense to me, if my non-threatening techniques don't work, sure I'll let the manager try.
I've just never been in that position, or in that bad of a disagreement, as yet (<i>knocking wood here</i>),... not even close.

mick

[QUOTE]Originally posted by mick
[B]__________________________________________________ ________

I agree with Freix 100%. Say something like this", Coaches this game isn't going to get started until you get the fans under control. I'll give you five minutes to calm the situation down."

I think its important that you wait a few minutes before resuming the game. This allows people to calm down.

My question is what do you do if both coaches are not willing to cooperate?


I personally like the idea of bringing a cell phone on the field as suggested in a previous thread. If worse comes to worse call the police.

Greg

<i> Originally posted by Chris23 </i>

<b> We have just started a two game elimination tournament in the 11-12 year old division and i need some advice. Only one umpire is sent to do the games and the games are usually very close and parents almost always get out of control, not violently, they yell and scream, some even use profanity. What can i do to keep order over these games if this was a normal season game i would give a warning to the coach and then if they kept it up I would forfit the game but I was talkin to my head umpire and he told me not to forfit the game, now what other things could i do to control the game. </b>

Chris, the only thing you can do is stop the game and refer to Tournament Director if game is to be forfeited.

Your scenario is a real Big problem in Youth Sports - Parents / Fans Out of Control. In the future, there is going to have to be some real disciplinary rules governing peoples behavior at games. I know of some Tournaments that have a No Tolerance Policy and signs are posted everywhere - if you <i> get out of line </i> - you are removed.

Bottom Line - I would refuse this assignment. We do not umpire just for the money but because we enjoy ourselves and want to improve. However, when fans get out of control, the entire game takes on a negative tone and the game is not enjoyable anymore.

Also, it's just a matter of time before something bad does happen. It's unfortunate because the kids are probably good kids and deserve good umpires, however, their parents make it impossible.

Pete Booth

Talk to Tournament Director
 

1. Make sure you arrive early enough to talk to the Tournament Director at the site. You need to work out with TD in advance how you will notify him or her when TD needs to deal with the stands. A good TD can sometimes solve problems simply by being visible in the stands.

2. Find a strategic place to park (gr).

a tournament director most likely isnt going to be around, we dont even have stands at the field we are playing at the only thing between the feild and the parent is a fence that is it

No help. Rowdy crowd. I think Pete Booth may be right. The people who set up this tournament aren't doing there job. As long as umpires continue to appear and be abused, there is no incentive for the league to change.