Safety

[LRZ]

Yesterday, there was a 4-game rivalry series between two local schools--girls jv, girls varsity, boys varsity, then finally, boys jv. For the two varsity games, the gym was packed to capacity. I was there solely as a spectator, not an official.

Apparently, because of the crowd, condensation formed on the ceiling during the third game (boys varsity) and dripped steadily onto the floor right underneath one basket. The two ADs sat on the bleachers under the basket, armed with towels, and did a quick mop-up every time--every time!--the ball went the other way. I don't know if the three varsity officials or the two refs for the final game (boys jv) expressed any doubt about the wisdom of playing under potentially dangerous conditions, but all four games were played, and although there were several slips, no one was injured.

Because of the risk, I'm not sure I would have played the final game; I would have suggested rescheduling it.

Anyone ever deal with this kind of safety-related dilemma? If so, how was the problem handled?

[bob jenkins]

Sure. And, i fit can be dealt with, as in this instance, it really isn't an issue.

[LRZ]

With several players slipping, I'm not sure the solution was entirely satisfactory.

In any event, I was not asking opinions about how this situation was handled. Rather, I was really asking if anyone has gotten to a game and found an unsafe situation that could not really be remedied.

[DrPete]

I remember a D1 game with the University of Virginia playing someone at the Richmond Coliseum. The basketball court was laid down over the ice hockey rink. It was a warm, and unusually humid winter day. They had all the doors open.
Well the humidity and the cold floor did not mix well. After seeing numerous players slip and slide they called the game in the first half. Forget about state rivalry game or the television contracts, the player safety always should come first.

[paulsonj72]

Originally Posted by DrPete

I remember a D1 game with the University of Virginia playing someone at the Richmond Coliseum. The basketball court was laid down over the ice hockey rink. It was a warm, and unusually humid winter day. They had all the doors open.
Well the humidity and the cold floor did not mix well. After seeing numerous players slip and slide they called the game in the first half. Forget about state rivalry game or the television contracts, the player safety always should come first.

IIRC it was a Big ten/ACC Challenge game and UVA was playing Michigan St and it as an ESPN televised game back in 2001

https://www.richmond.com/sports/coll...9bb30f31a.html

[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by DrPete

I remember a D1 game with the University of Virginia playing someone at the Richmond Coliseum. The basketball court was laid down over the ice hockey rink. It was a warm, and unusually humid winter day. They had all the doors open.
Well the humidity and the cold floor did not mix well. After seeing numerous players slip and slide they called the game in the first half. Forget about state rivalry game or the television contracts, the player safety always should come first.

I recall some hockey/ice situation as well a few years ago. It was an NBA game and the contest was cancelled due to excessive condensation. I’ll try to look it up.

[Nevadaref]

Here is the article:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/...=.fa15180b8d2f

[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by LRZ

With several players slipping, I'm not sure the solution was entirely satisfactory.

In any event, I was not asking opinions about how this situation was handled. Rather, I was really asking if anyone has gotten to a game and found an unsafe situation that could not really be remedied.

Yes, about five years ago the home team had several fans from the student section imitate Lebron James and toss baby powder in the air before the contest.

The powder got into the air ducts and made the court so slick that we couldn’t play. Fortunately, the visiting school was only a mile away and we were able to shift the game to that location and play that evening. There was no possible way to play at the home school.

[frezer11]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

Yes, about five years ago the home team had several fans from the student section imitate Lebron James and toss baby powder in the air before the contest.

The powder got into the air ducts and made the court so slick that we couldn’t play. Fortunately, the visiting school was only a mile away and we were able to shift the game to that location and play that evening. There was no possible way to play at the home school.

We had a somewhat similar situation happen here a couple years ago, but it didn't get into the air ducts, rather just on the court. They had to pull out the floor scrubber and delayed the game by about 30 minutes, and this happened as both teams and officials were lined up for the opening tip.

[hamnegger]

Yep had a ceiling drip this Sunday on a few spots on the court. We tried the old mop it up method and it worked for first half but as game went on drips were coming down more frequently. First time a player slipped I stopped the game spoke to my partner and suspended the game. Text sent to assignor and no complaints.