Another Referee Assault ...

[Rich]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Not sure that his intent was to knock the kid over, but it's still a "bad look". Possibly had a head of steam such that he couldn't stop in time.

I know that we're supposed to stand back and take numbers, but sometimes we just react to break up the fight to protect kids. It's just adult human nature. Probably instinctual.

I will never just stand back and take numbers.


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[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Rich

I will never just stand back and take numbers.

Don't know if it's the human in me, the father in me, the teacher in me, or the coach in me, but me too.

At the minimum I'm trying to stand between the fighters, even if they make slight contact with me (not me with them), and sounding my whistle as loud as I can.

I will try not to to hold any players. We had an official do that many years ago, allowing an opponent got a "free shot" and "cold cocking" the held player, breaking the held player's jaw. Official ended up getting sued by parents of held broken jaw player. Also had to deal with a criminal assault charge. Very messy, in the criminal court and civil court for a couple of years. Lots of billable hours.

As a teacher we were told that it we didn't do anything to (reasonably) physically break up a fight between students that we could be sued for negligence if a student got severely hurt due to our inaction (something about the legal term in loco parentis).

Of course it we did physically intercede, and if a student got severely hurt as a result of our actions we could also get sued for our actions.

Damned if we do, damned if we don't.

[Raymond]

Where I officiate, I'm not doing more than stepping between players before punches are thrown. Once thrown, I'm out. If you are in the middle of the melee you are subjecting yourself to getting jumped by either a player, coach, or fan.

[JRutledge]

This is why you let them fight. And it is a middle school game? Clear the benches, I will go home. Not stopping players from doing anything in this case. I might not get between them in this case.

Peace

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Rich

I will never just stand back and take numbers.

Unless I am getting paid with a "comma" in the check, I am not ever stopping players once they go at it. That is what my presence and whistle is for. If that does not work, let them have at it. Not subjecting myself to what happened here.

Peace

[Rich]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Unless I am getting paid with a "comma" in the check, I am not ever stopping players once they go at it. That is what my presence and whistle is for. If that does not work, let them have at it. Not subjecting myself to what happened here.

Peace

My point is I will try to stop things before they start, but eventually we all need to protect ourselves.


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[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Rich

My point is I will try to stop things before they start, but eventually we all need to protect ourselves.

I did not say I would not try to stop it. But I am not touching any players and not doing a thing after they throw blows. Get rid of the problem and move on.

Peace

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Rich

... we all need to protect ourselves.

Physically, criminally, and civilly.

[Kelvin green]

I hope the official files a civil lawsuit against this guy and seeks substantial damages….. including punitive.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by Kelvin green

I hope the official files a civil lawsuit against this guy and seeks substantial damages….. including punitive.

That would be pointless. Compensatory damages, if any, would be minimal (and likely considered under the criminal penalties,) and this conduct is not egregious enough to warrant punitive damages.

[WI_Ref]

Originally Posted by Matt

That would be pointless. Compensatory damages, if any, would be minimal (and likely considered under the criminal penalties,) and this conduct is not egregious enough to warrant punitive damages.

I dunno, maybe, maybe not. Considering that his face absorbed the fall this literally could have ended in death or some other head/neck injury. I would think a good lawyer could definitely get punitive damages. I would also assume the extent of the damage would still be unknown as there could be long term neck/spinal/brain type injury. They guy that went down appeared to be older and not in the best shape.

IMHO this certainly was egregious enough to warrant punitive damages but I'm be biased I suppose

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Kelvin green

I hope the official files a civil lawsuit against this guy and seeks substantial damages….. including punitive.

Originally Posted by WI_Ref

Considering that his face absorbed the fall this literally could have ended in death or some other head/neck injury. I would think a good lawyer could definitely get punitive damages ... this certainly was egregious enough to warrant punitive damages ...

I have not attended law school, nor have I passed the bar exam, but I have watched all 456 episodes of Law & Order, all 503 episodes of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and all 195 episodes Law & Order: Criminal Intent, so I'm whatcha might call a law expert.

While I can see probable criminal charges and a probable civil lawsuit filed against the parent, could there not also be criminal charges (risk of injury to a minor) and a civil lawsuit filed against the basketball official?

[rbruno]

Damned if we do and damned if we don't. Middle school I might try to get between so no one gets hurt. To this point game over and lets go home, don't care who wins, loses or whatever, let the rinky dink MS league fiigure this out.
This is the crap that causes officials to quit.
HS... just taking numbers and letting the coaches get the players and I'm not getting near a 6-2 HS player for fear of getting hurt myself. When the parents run on the floor I'm done. This jerk needs to get sued. No excuse. Heck what happened wasn't that bad... just boys trying to be men (women get this analogy).

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Kelvin green

I hope the official files a civil lawsuit against this guy and seeks substantial damages...

I hope that they throw the book at him: Semper ubi sub ubi. Quaeso esto meus vicinus. Machina improba! Vel mihi ede potum vel mihi redde nummos meos! Braccae illae virides cum subucula rosea et tunica. Caledonia-quam elenganter concinnatur! Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam.

[Nevadaref]

https://www.yahoo.com/news/dad-faces...224357829.html