Game environment and management

zebracz · #1 (**permalink**) Fri Dec 12, 2003, 04:28am

Ok, I've been struggling w/ my game last night. We called it pretty well, w/ a load of fouls, and a high-stressed, highly emotional atmosphere. These two teams HATE (which is an understatement) each other! They are all out for blood. One of the coaches is almost racist and the political bull #%&@ that goes into their games is outrageous (they are always back biting and undercutting the other schools' administration, etc.). With that having been said, the visiting team has the father of the star pt guard as an assistant coach and the star has four or five graduated brothers who as fans are pricks, to only understate it. (Excuse the language)

The visiting bench (coaches) were fine, but the kids in the stands (3 rows up) were absolutely ignoramouses. If their brother was even touched, they screamed. If we called a foul on his opponents, they loved it. Yea, I know, like any typical game w/ fans, right? Well, my partner actually warned them during a dead ball. Things were okay, 'til one time out period, where one of the kids in stands was up and yelling and sticking his tongue out w/ a 'thumbs down,' making an *** of himself @ me, I guess. Since my partner warned them already, I figured they thought they still had open reins at me. Well, I wanted so much to do something about it, but it was during a time out and doing something might make the whole situation worsen. Both sides weren't angels, I "t'd" the home team's assistant, but the game was just nasty, to put a final description on it. One final note, though, I usually ignore fans (like we all should). I guess I did ignore these fans as I did nothing. We even talked to 'game management' at half-time, to have them prepared for any ejections from the game. I don't usually get bothered by fans, so what do ya'll think? Any help or comments would be useful--thanks and sorry so long.

nine01c · #2 (**permalink**) Fri Dec 12, 2003, 10:01am

I think "game management" should have taken care of the "problem." Sounds like this family owns the place.

Andy · #3 (**permalink**) Fri Dec 12, 2003, 11:48am

As far as I'm concerned, you answered your own question:

Quote:

Originally posted by zebracz
I usually ignore fans (like we all should).

Unless a fan is coming onto the court or yelling profanities from the stands, it's not my concern. Yeah, it's annoying as he**, but why acknowledge his antics with your attention? Game management will deal with it if they so decide, if not a letter to the state association might be advisable.

zebracz · #4 (**permalink**) Sat Dec 13, 2003, 04:07pm

Ya, good idea, Andy, maybe a letter, thanks...

Ref Daddy · #5 (**permalink**) Sat Dec 13, 2003, 04:23pm

Every hasve game administration act without referee's requesting it?

Good idea?

Tim Roden · #6 (**permalink**) Sat Dec 13, 2003, 07:04pm

Quote:

Originally posted by Ref Daddy

Every hasve game administration act without referee's requesting it?

Good idea?

Not in my game but I was watching a game where the game management went up to these kids sitting on the first row and escorted them out of the building. I asked the officials about it later and they said they didn't request him to do it. He did it of his own initiative.

JRutledge · #7 (**permalink**) Sat Dec 13, 2003, 07:52pm

Quote:

Originally posted by Ref Daddy

Every hasve game administration act without referee's requesting it?

Good idea?

Sure, why not? That is there job to keep things in line. If they feel someone is out of line or action outside the bounds of what fans are there for, of course they can take action. Half the time they know more than we do. Unless something affects the game directly or affects the players or coaches, that might be the only time we notice. All other times, the GM would be paying closer attention to that sort of thing.

Peace

TriggerMN · #8 (**permalink**) Sat Dec 13, 2003, 09:04pm

Please excuse the language in my following post.

I agree with what the others say. Ignore the fans, unless they are becoming physically violent, or are becoming profane, or in some situations, are making fun of a player because of a physical disability.

Anyways, I had a game last year where the visiting team's student-fans didn't like a call we made. The gym was quiet, and just as I inbounded the ball, a fan about 4 rows up yelled, "Bl*w me, ref!" in a derogatory fashion. I couldn't pick out who it was, but I stopped the game, announced to the section that I didn't know who did it, but the next time I heard anything close to it, I'd toss the whole section. At that point, I got a standing ovation from the rest of the gym.

You have to judge these situations case by case, but I felt I did the right thing.

BktBallRef · #9 (**permalink**) Sat Dec 13, 2003, 10:45pm

Last year, I had a situation where some fans on the front row, opposite table were running their mouths at me and the visitors. Just before a throw-in, I had had enough. Quietly, I said to the ringleader, "If you don't shut your trap, I'm gonaa have you thrown out of here."

They calmed down until about a minute to go. But the ringleader figured this late in the game, I would just ignore him. Wrong answer. I don't remember what he said, but it was during a dead ball. I blew my whislte and waved the deputy sheriff over. With him came the principal. See ya!

After the game, the principal thanked me and assured me that the guy wouldn't me back for 365 days.

BktBallRef · #10 (**permalink**) Sat Dec 13, 2003, 10:45pm

Last year, I had a situation where some fans on the front row, opposite table were running their mouths at us and the visitors. Just before a throw-in, I had had enough. Quietly, I said to the ringleader, "If you don't shut your trap, I'm gonaa have you thrown out of here."

They calmed down until about a minute to go. But the ringleader figured this late in the game, I would just ignore him. Wrong answer. I don't remember what he said, but it was during a dead ball. I blew my whislte and waved the deputy sheriff over. With him came the principal. See ya!

After the game, the principal thanked me and assured me that the guy wouldn't me back for 365 days.

rcwilco · #11 (**permalink**) Sun Dec 14, 2003, 03:29am

I have only had to take actions with fans/parents three times and game administrator has supported me 100% every time.
First, three young men on a front row thought that they could get away with a racial comment to a visiting player....see ya!
Second, a couple of young men thought it cute to make a very crude sexually suggestive comment at a girls game to a visiting player.....see ya!
Third, I hear a commotion in middle of fourth quarter and look up in the stands to see about five parents are standing and getting ready to go at it. Game administrator sat with them and everything was fine. Afterwards he told us that they were not upset about our calls just from each others comments until they were ready to come to blows over it.

TriggerMN · #12 (**permalink**) Sun Dec 14, 2003, 12:01pm

RCWilco-->

An excellent decision made in all three cases. There are always things you can't think of, but you had the presence of mind to correctly deal with each situation.