Incident With Fan

[Ignats75]

Originally Posted by RookieDude

...with no wiggle room?

Had a Boys Varsity jamboree the other night. Before the game, and during warm-ups...my partner waved a player over. He informed the player that his "bracelet" (It was kind of a neat looking brown, weaved cloth or leather looking thing...about 2 inches wide...that had a MEDICAL ALERT bracelet attacted on top of it.)

This probably looked "cool" for walking around the mall...but, not for a basketball game.

Anyway, the mother came down on the court...as my partner was talking to the player...asking if there was a problem.

My partner explained to her he would have to get the bracelet taped...or he couldn't play. Immediately, the AD of the home school was there to escort the mother off the court. ( Great job by the AD IMO.)

The mother was adamant that he needed that bracelet because of his medical condition.

My partner told her he could wear the funky looking bracelet...but, it would have to be taped.

Also...what if the tape is white (as usual athletic tape is) and the other players are wearing black wristbands?

Comments?

Sorry, I don't care why a parent feels the need to come on the floor to discuss anything with an official. If they do that, they are gonzo. If a player has a medical alert bracelet, it has to be taped. Its a rule. Period. No more reason for Mommy to come on the floor than when I call a foul on her little boy. (sarcasm)

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by Ignats75

Sorry, I don't care why a parent feels the need to come on the floor to discuss anything with an official. If they do that, they are gonzo. If a player has a medical alert bracelet, it has to be taped. Its a rule. Period. No more reason for Mommy to come on the floor than when I call a foul on her little boy. (sarcasm)

Kinda harsh there...It's before the game and the child has a medical condition requiring a bracelet and the parent sees some discussion about the bracelet--I don't blame them for being alarmed. I would politely asked them to leave the court and address their concerns through the coach.

Would you kick out a parent who runs on the court when there child has suffered a major injury?

[Ignats75]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

Kinda harsh there...It's before the game and the child has a medical condition requiring a bracelet and the parent sees some discussion about the bracelet--I don't blame them for being alarmed. I would politely asked them to leave the court and address their concerns through the coach.

Would you kick out a parent who runs on the court when there child has suffered a major injury?

Nope. But its the exception to the rule. And the only one!! But that kid better never be able to come back into the game. Otherwise its just one more overrection by a parent.

Harsh? Nope. But parents need to know their limits. And coming on the floor is one of them.

[DonInKansas]

Originally Posted by Ignats75

Nope. But its the exception to the rule. And the only one!! But that kid better never be able to come back into the game. Otherwise its just one more overrection by a parent.

So if the kid returns in the second half after a nasty lookin' first half injury, do you go looking for the parent to dump them?

[Ignats75]

Yeah...I'm going right up into the stands after 'em Sheesh.

[BBall_Junkie]

Originally Posted by Ignats75

Sorry, I don't care why a parent feels the need to come on the floor to discuss anything with an official. If they do that, they are gonzo. If a player has a medical alert bracelet, it has to be taped. Its a rule. Period. No more reason for Mommy to come on the floor than when I call a foul on her little boy. (sarcasm)

Wow. Completely absurd imo. I would like to think that we can excercise better people skills than to throw a parent for this. Like a poster said... mom noticed some concern over her kid's medical bracelet and wanted to know what was going on.... easily addressed and we don't have to look like complete a-holes. How much smoother do you think the game will go if we present ourselves as humans and not power mongers on an ego trip?

[Ignats75]

Originally Posted by BBall_Junkie

Wow. Completely absurd imo. I would like to think that we can excercise better people skills than to throw a parent for this. Like a poster said... mom noticed some concern over her kid's medical bracelet and wanted to know what was going on.... easily addressed and we don't have to look like complete a-holes. How much smoother do you think the game will go if we present ourselves as humans and not power mongers on an ego trip?

Look, I only do high school. I'm not talking about some lower level game with Mommy worried about jr. In the context of my post we're talking about a parent coming on the floor at an official (maybe not threateningly) which sets a real dangerous precedence. Does this same parent complain about jr's playing time to the coach too? Sorry. I don't by that. It has nothing to do with egotrip. It has to do with the proper management of the game, including what is allowed by the crowd. An example of preventative management. We've had three serious assaults on basketball officials in the last couple of years. Its not a joke that parents need to know their place.

Mom's concern over what her kid is wearing is quite frankly none of her business on the floor. The referee involved is following the rules. It has nothing to do with the health of the kid. It has to do with the rules. Are we going to start letting parents come down and ask us during a dead ball why that last call was a charge intead of a block too? This is a hot button for me. Parents need to let the coach coach, the official officiate and the kids play. Personally, I think the games would be better if only students and teachers were allowed in the stands. Most of the unsportsmanlike behavior we see at games comes from adults. Thats truly sad.

[BBall_Junkie]

I only do varsity HS and small college as well and your analogies are apples and oranges. Handle it the way you want but I find you way off base as you seem to be the type who only see black and white and not the shades of gray that actually present a real bball game.

If "mommy" comes out of the stands during a game to question a call... gone. If she comes down pre game to see what the situation about her kid's medical bracelet is about and does so in a civilized manner I address it and have her take her place back in the stands... apples and oranges dude. In my opinion it is applying common sense to individual situations in a game environment and not covering everything with a blanket...

~sigh~... Again do it however you see fit but I personally find your approach to be heavy handed. I will judge each sitch on its own merits and act accordingly.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by BBall_Junkie

I Again do it however you see fit but I personally find your approach to be heavy handed. I will judge each sitch on its own merits and act accordingly.

FWIW (not much), I agree with BBall_Junkie on this. The mom certainly gets a short-leash, and I'm wondering why she's ther and won't put up with any crap, but I'll listen before I decide whether she needs to be told to get back in the stands.

[grunewar]

I think one of the key points to remember for medical alert bracelets is – what is their purpose? Diabetic? Insulin? Asthma? Heart?

Players and coaches know the rules. If coach, and mommy and daddy are present and a problem develops, they should of course KNOW of the medical situation and be able assist/inform the team or medical staff regardless if someone notices the bracelet taped to the body.

The issue is more important when no one knows about the problem and a situation develops.

I concur with bball and Bob though. If asked politely and nicely, I will address same.

[Ignats75]

Obviously, this is a web forum and although I can get long winded here, I can't type out a legal contract that discloses every little variation or scenario that may develop. If you try to do that with these types of questions, these become long-winded wizzing contests. I was addressing this qquestion from a big-picture and philosophical standpoint. Trying to parse each little way it can work is silly in this type of format. So I stand by my main point. This controversy has nothing to do with the kid's health. He's warming up for gosh sakes. Referee tells him that he needs to tape the bracelet. Mom needs not be involved in that situation. Is she going to argue that the red teeshirt he's wearing under his blue jersey should be allowed because she didn't have time to do the laundry yesterday too?

[Oz Referee]

Originally Posted by Ignats75

The referee involved is following the rules. It has nothing to do with the health of the kid.

Wow I thought that many of the rules we enforce are directly about the health of the players - medical alert bracelets, blood, etc. Obviously you know better

[Ignats75]

The controversy is NOT about his health and well-being. He's not hurt or under duress. Its about securing the bracelet. It must be taped. That the rule. No reason to question it. It like the Mom who wanted to know why her daughter's newly pierced ears couldn't just be taped. its the rule. Earrings out.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Ignats75

Earrings out.

No. She can't play with the earrings in. Let the player, and her Mom, figure out the rest on their own.

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

No. She can't play with the earrings in. Let the player, and her Mom, figure out the rest on their own.

Actually, she can play with the earrings in. She just has to take her ears off. I've told some parents, coaches and players just that.