fan with laser pointer

[jkjenning]

6th grade Tournament we hold every year, and last Saturday there is a report of a laser pointer aimed at shooter's eyes; one kid knows the general area the pointer is coming from and another one identifies the adult [geesh!] who is using the pointer. My response is to walk to the base of the stands [there's only about 4 rows] and inform the gentleman, who is sitting there holding the pointer, that he has to leave; he states "you're kidding, right?"; I state "No, I'm not kidding, I need you to leave now" and the site administrator shows up at that point to escort him from the gym. It was all very polite and very low key - I cannot think of reacting any differently than I did.

Of course, he apparently swore on his way out of the gym and his wife calls the AD midweek with a circular conversation and in the end wants to talk to me next week about embarrassing her husband, etc.

I did a search of the forum for laser pointer and see a very few references... one reference from Chuck Elias about a rule outlawing them. Any rules input regarding how I handled the situation or what good/bad could come from handling it differently?

Our own thought of how to best handle it differently goes something like: we identified him, so make an announcement and keep an eye on him, ejecting him if he persists... but I'm thinking that if the guy shines a laser pointer into the eyes of the kids, then no way am I letting him hang around! - and why tie up someone's attention watching him? Does it embarrass him less if the AD "takes his pointer away and puts it in a desk"???

I would be especially interested in a rules reference specific to laser pointers [I'll keep reading later tonight!] because his wife told the AD that this week they are going to show up with the laser pointer again - but not use it! These folks must be in their 40s - it's very surreal to me.

[tjones1]

Nope, pointing a laser beam into anyone's eyes is dangerous. See ya buddy. I don't have a problem with the way you handled it.

[TimTaylor]

Originally Posted by tjones1

Nope, pointing a laser beam into anyone's eyes is dangerous. See ya buddy. I don't have a problem with the way you handled it.

I work with lasers on a daily basis, and even the low power LED laser pointers can be dangerous if shined directly in the eyes - hence the warning label you'll find on every one of them (its required by federal regulation).

I agree completely this idiot had to go.....only thing I might have done differently is have the site admin deal with it from the beginning.....and I can think of at least one place to put it that's better than the AD's desk (shed a little light where the sun don't shine, so to speak.....).

[tjones1]

Originally Posted by TimTaylor

I work with lasers on a daily basis, and even the low power LED laser pointers can be dangerous if shined directly in the eyes - hence the warning label you'll find on every one of them (its required by federal regulation).

I agree completely this idiot had to go.....only thing I might have done differently is have the site admin deal with it from the beginning.....and I can think of at least one place to put it that's better than the AD's desk (shed a little light where the sun don't shine, so to speak.....).

(Sorry, I must hijack for a few).

Sweet Tim, what do you do with them? I've worked with some very powerful lasers in the lab, etc, but that's about it.

[Eastshire]

Only thing to do is to get Game Admin involved rather than addressing it yourself. But by all means, do not continue the game until it is resolved.

[TimTaylor]

Originally Posted by tjones1

(Sorry, I must hijack for a few).

Sweet Tim, what do you do with them? I've worked with some very powerful lasers in the lab, etc, but that's about it.

Mostly high precision metrology applications. The gear I work with can resolve measurements to 1 micron and angle/level to +/- 1 arc-second resolution over distances up to several hundred feet. These are primarily class 3a & 3b devices, but I occasionally work with some class 4 CO2 & Yag equipment as well - biggest was around 150 watts.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by TimTaylor

Mostly high precision metrology applications. The gear I work with can resolve measurements to 1 micron and angle/level to +/- 1 arc-second resolution over distances up to several hundred feet. These are primarily class 3a & 3b devices, but I occasionally work with some class 4 CO2 & Yag equipment as well - biggest was around 150 watts.

[Old School]

I need to know a little more about this laser pointer. What the heck is a parent doing with a laser pointer at a 6th grade game? And using it? Did you actually see him point it into the eyes? I would have given the parent a warning first to let him know (just in case he doesn't) it's illegal. If he shines it again, we're stopping the game and I'm going to have a conversation with this person.

I have forced fans to turn off cameras with the flash enabled or on. I look up and see that, beep, shut it off! Fans said nobody has ever made me turn it off before. I said if you don't turn it off, you or the camera or both is leaving this gym. If I was you, I would make it a practice to warn a fan first before tossing. This way, after the fact, you got that to fall back on. Now that the parent is questioning your actions, it would be nice to say you gave him a warning first which he did not heed, before you had him removed.

[refnjoe]

[BktBallRef]

Never address a fan or ask them to leave.

Ask game management to handle the situation.

[26 Year Gap]

Originally Posted by Old School

I need to know a little more about this laser pointer. What the heck is a parent doing with a laser pointer at a 6th grade game? And using it? Did you actually see him point it into the eyes? I would have given the parent a warning first to let him know (just in case he doesn't) it's illegal. If he shines it again, we're stopping the game and I'm going to have a conversation with this person.

I have forced fans to turn off cameras with the flash enabled or on. I look up and see that, beep, shut it off! Fans said nobody has ever made me turn it off before. I said if you don't turn it off, you or the camera or both is leaving this gym. If I was you, I would make it a practice to warn a fan first before tossing. This way, after the fact, you got that to fall back on. Now that the parent is questioning your actions, it would be nice to say you gave him a warning first which he did not heed, before you had him removed.

If this 'fan' is reading this, his next question will be "Can I have your schedule Old School?" To which you will reply, "I have no schedule."

[ChrisSportsFan]

Originally Posted by Old School

I need to know a little more about this laser pointer. What the heck is a parent doing with a laser pointer at a 6th grade game? And using it? Did you actually see him point it into the eyes? I would have given the parent a warning first to let him know (just in case he doesn't) it's illegal. If he shines it again, we're stopping the game and I'm going to have a conversation with this person.

Are you serious? He said this was an adult! What adult thinks it's perfectly ok to shine a laser pointer in the opponents eye when they shoot free throws? There is no way I let that idiot off with a warning! He gets ejected in a heart beat and he better hurry before I puke on his pants.

[ChrisSportsFan]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

That is one of the funniest pictures ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Adam]

Originally Posted by jkjenning

Of course, he apparently swore on his way out of the gym and his wife calls the AD midweek with a circular conversation and in the end wants to talk to me next week about embarrassing her husband, etc.

Let me get this straight. His wife called the AD? His wife wants to talk to you about embarrassing him? Did his wife pay for his ticket to the game?

[refnrev]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

Let me get this straight. His wife called the AD? His wife wants to talk to you about embarrassing him? Did his wife pay for his ticket to the game?

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Was his wife really big with a howler monkey voice and a moustache.