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.

[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.

[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.

[bob jenkins]

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).

Warning: Do not look into laser with remaining eye.

[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.

[jkjenning]

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?

She paid the full $1, I'm sure.

Ok, thanks for the replies - I guess there is nothing specific in the rules regarding laser pointers and yes, I will remember to communicate with the fans exclusively through the AD next time. In no way will I believe a warning should have been given to an adult before ejecting them for this.

[mplagrow]

Originally Posted by jkjenning

In no way will I believe a warning should have been given to an adult before ejecting them for this.

Not to an adult, a teen, or a chimpanzee. I'm walking right over to game administration, pointing the person out, and telling them to give him the heave ho. I've seen too many adults like this fool and his wife, who believe that there should never be consequences for their stupidity. And I know their kids, too.

Old School, I didn't think you could amaze me with your foolishness any more than you already have. Congratulations, you proved me wrong.

[Ignats75]

We are responsible for the safety of the players. That is dangerous behavior. that is also ludicrious behavior at a 6th grade game. Evidence Exhibit 1,243 in the Ignats theory that grownups shouldn't be allowed to attend kids' games.

Personally, he's lucky all I did was embarass him. And yes, I would personally ask him to leave and point him out to the site administrator. The game doesn't start until he is gone.

[Old School]

I will agree that shining the laser in a kids eye is wrong for an adult to do. Shining a laser in any players eyes is wrong. My point is this. Why not give people a chance. This is a game of competition and everyone is looking for an edge to help there teams win. Maybe some people cross the line as in this case, but I will never believe that the parent who also has a kid out there on the floor is trying to do harm to the other players. Consider this if you will. How would you feel if you walked over there and gave the parent a warning not to shine that laser again or he will be removed? The parent complies and there's no more problems the rest of the game. The game completes normally. How would you feel then? That's all it took! Isn't it at least worth a try? You didn't embarrass nobody, you got no after the game issues you need to go talk to some administrator about. You got no legal issues coming at you. Sometimes the simplest approach is the easiest approach.

My point is also this. One you locate who it is, you just told everyone else in the gym, particularly the opposition, that this moron is doing this and they will make sure that doesn't happen again, and if it does, somebody else will probably report him and you don't have to worry about it.

[refnrev]

Originally Posted by Old School

I will agree that shining the laser in a kids eye is wrong for an adult to do. Shining a laser in any players eyes is wrong. My point is this. Why not give people a chance. This is a game of competition and everyone is looking for an edge to help there teams win. Maybe some people cross the line as in this case, but I will never believe that the parent who also has a kid out there on the floor is trying to do harm to the other players. Consider this if you will. How would you feel if you walked over there and gave the parent a warning not to shine that laser again or he will be removed? The parent complies and there's no more problems the rest of the game. The game completes normally. How would you feel then? That's all it took! Isn't it at least worth a try? You didn't embarrass nobody, you got no after the game issues you need to go talk to some administrator about. You got no legal issues coming at you. Sometimes the simplest approach is the easiest approach.

My point is also this. One you locate who it is, you just told everyone else in the gym, particularly the opposition, that this moron is doing this and they will make sure that doesn't happen again, and if it does, somebody else will probably report him and you don't have to worry about it.

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Unbelievable. You get this idiot out of the gym immediately and hope that they never let him or his wife back in again! Those two need serious help.