Fans throwing things at officials
 

Got together for a beer after last nights games with a few other friends who were officiating. One of my buddies was in a REALLY tough inner city school here and the crowd was pretty hostile. At one point he got hit in the ass with what he later found out was a skittle. He stopped the game and told game management they need to have someone over there. A couple cops went and stood there for a bit but eventually left that area. I was trying to imagine that situation and what I’d do and was curious what your thoughts are.

The only time I had to deal with something like this, I didn't have to.

Kids in the stands were throwing pennies onto the floor. Administrators stopped the game and tried to identify the culprits. After about 10 minutes, when they could not id the kids, they cleared the gym of the entire section. No one on either team complained about the delay or the remedy. I thought it was great that the administrators stepped in immediately.

I'm pretty lenient about a lot of things, but not safety-related issues. At the least, the first time something was thrown onto the floor, I'd stop the game and have game administration warn the crowd. Second time, if the only way to proceed safely is by clearing the gym, so be it. If I recall correctly, for a year, maybe two, the NYC high school championship was played without any spectators--no students, parents, fans--just team-related personnel.

...I'd like to know where there are "inner cities" in Iowa :D:D:D:D

The Hawkeye State ...
 

Lots of people live in Iowa. Somebody has to take care of all those pigs.

Oh they're there. Having lived in UNI and Billy's necks of the woods, Billy's are further in, but they definitely exist in both places.

Probably one of the Quad Cities - Davenport or Bettendorf.

A Horse With No Name (America, 1972) ...
 

https://s3.amazonaws.com/lowres.cart...-rbun2_low.jpg

I really shouldn't make fun of Iowa. Connecticut only has five cities with over 100,000 residents, none more than 150,000.

It's often cited as one reason why millennials don't want to live here.

However, we do have this going for us.

Connecticut has more horses per square mile than any other state.

Maybe that's why after coaches say something to me they always add, "and the horse you rode in on".

Fan on the floor
 

Had a fan come on the floor during a hotly contested VG game a few years ago. About 2 min left in the game.... (I am the villian as I called two charges against the home team as they blew a lead and eventually lost)... Im standing in the center circle waiting for the horn to end a time out and feel someone is behind me. I turn and find this older woman there telling what a great job I am doing. Scared the crap out of me. I look to the table and the AD is there smirking. Hey it looks a bit funny but it is not in the least funny. Could have been a dad with a stick or something. I tell the AD to get her the hell off the floor and out of the gym and that my partner and I are not staying for the final handshake (as required by our state governing board in Mass). You guys know the type of game... like a collesium in the Roman days. Had police officer escort us out and walked my partner to her car.

I grew up about an hour from the Quad Cities. These are nowhere near "inner-city" in nature. Not even close. Calumet City is more of an inner city than those places in the Quad Cities mentioned. :p

Peace

Let's Go To The Videotape ... ...
 

Des Moines East. Des Moines has had 9 homicides this year. 39 instances of gun violence have been within one mile of East High School (edit: since June 1). 76% of DMPS students receive free/reduced lunch. I didn't dig too deep into that, but I can assure you that East's numbers are higher than that. It's not Chicago, but it's certainly a tough area.

Edit: 70% receive free/reduced at EHS. That's by far the highest in the state (next closest is 59%). State average is 41%.

In order:

1) If you are going to throw food to me its going to have to be more substantial than a skittle. Throw me a hot dog or something . . .

2) My preference would be throwing of money. Neatly folded for aerodynamics.

3) At the point anything is thrown at me or anyone else on the floor. Things are stopping. Perp is identified and removed or everyone is going.

Not basketball, but...

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sport...=.4464e50baeba

snow balls aren't the worst that soccer folks see. batteries, fireworks, smoke bombs . . . . soccer fans in many countries make BB fans here seem quaint and gentile.

Well, until gentrification settles in...