By whom and for what? Simply because there is a fight and/or injuries doesn't mean the officials are liable. How about the one that caused the harm in the first place?

Agreed. Looks to me like Earl Strom here is looking for some sort of justification to initiate a lawsuit himself.

If I were in Vegas, I'd bet that his niece was the player who got the ride in the ambulance.

I think that you should write a letter to the league expressing your concerns. Your writing skills are sure to get their attention.

Sorry, I am the victim of listening toooo long and toooo LOUD to that tune to have any accurate recollection of the song's duration.
Sounds like a fine thing to be doing on a gloomy 'spring' day.

L8R

That was funny

Ha! I am willing to bet this is the first time DMX has been quoted on this board.

Classicly understanded, NV.

Don't you really mean 'classically understated'?

Sorry, couldn't help myself.
Temp grammar and spelling nerd

This happened in Vegas? Now I'm wondering who the OP is, what games these were and who the young officials are.

Well played, coach. :)

I don't see anything by the OP about the games being in Vegas. I would think that they took place on the Atlantic coast as that is where the CACC is located.

The only mention that I see in the thread to Vegas came from Snaqs and he only brought it up in reference to betting.

First, if you believe that everyone who passes their 100 questions "yes and no" rules exam should be able to become a referee, that is your own opinion, as I was stating mine. Although I have the fortune of working with great crews, I give even more credit to those who do it for far less monetary compensation and far too much parent officiating. Having said that I still stand by my statement that not all people who want to referee should.

First thing I was taught back in my provisional years was to manage the game. If you did all you can to protect the players by using all the tools at your disposal such as, technical's/ejection/"tightening" the calls/warning coaches of calling the game, than you are right, you have done all you can! But when you do not utilize these tools and have coaches cursing at the top of their lungs during the game, I question if these referee's performed their jobs. I am all for OJT, but in this crazy world of AAU basketball and competitive college recruiting which we are mere victims of, we need to be aware of how to control games. After all seeing the news and various events unfold in basketball, we should acknowledge that our roles as officials are changing to encompass much more than mere 'advantage / disadvantage' calls.

As for suggestions of my 'fishing' for a lawsuit, I can only say that if I wanted to sue, it would have already been done. I have written a letter to send to the referee's board of executives along with a phone call to the assigner, but I wanted to see what everyone thought would be the appropriate measure.

Finally, on the more legal realm, all boards have insurance policies which protect you from lawsuits, and if you are unaware of your legal rights, pick up "Sports officiating:A Legal Guide" Myself and many of my colleagues have read this book, particularly in this age of camera's and televised games.
In addition if you are curious there is case law that pertains to 'negligence' of referee's which fall in favor of most referee's:

Kennel vs. Carson City School District (1990): High school basketball player attacked by opponent sued school district alleging that referees negligently failed to protect player. School district not liable for referees’ conduct. (Guess who was sued after this suit!)

However, the referee was sued. In case you haven't guessed, yes I am a lawyer, but not a litigator, so I'm more on the bean-counting aka corporate side. Having said that, I am very fortunate that my niece was not involved, she rides the bench, but parents have been asking me what they should do and my line has been to talk to the board and forgo the legal procedure of suing for 'Negligence.'

Maybe I missed it, but could you point me to where someone said this?

Well played Mr. Big Time. Next time, don't use your first post to disparage AAU officials, you might have credibility.

Again, these are summer AAU officials, likely very new. Games are going to get out of hand. Show me where they could have done something that definitively would have stopped the fight an injury.

Fair enough. I stand corrected.
Frankly I don't believe you're a lawyer. As Nevadaref pointed out, your writing skills are horrible, at least as displayed here. Your grammar above is not indicative of someone with a law degree.

Gosh, I was able to google this lawsuit, but it says nothing about the actual suit against the official. And judging by the website I think you got this from, all other claims against officials that are listed were dismissed. So again, what do you think the officials failed to do that makes them potentially legally liable for the injuries?

Again, I really don't think you're a lawyer.

Zing! Boom! Tarrarel!

Would they whistle John Denver in Colorado?

Thanks, Rich, now I have that stupid song in my head.

West Virginia can have him.