OT: Contacting an official

[representing]

My brother just told me he saw it happen in the other room. He said it didn't look like it was intentional and that it probably shouldn't have been an ejection.

I don't know though, I didn't see it but will probably see it on ESPN or Comcast SN tomorrow morning

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by representing

My brother just told me he saw it happen in the other room. He said it didn't look like it was intentional and that it probably shouldn't have been an ejection.

I don't know though, I didn't see it but will probably see it on ESPN or Comcast SN tomorrow morning

Stokely INTENTIONALLY swung in the direction of the official.

Just like I tell my kids, don't throw rocks in the neighborhood and then say it's an accident when you break a window.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by representing

My brother just told me he saw it happen in the other room. He said it didn't look like it was intentional and that it probably shouldn't have been an ejection.

I don't know though, I didn't see it but will probably see it on ESPN or Comcast SN tomorrow morning

Whether he hit him intentionally doesn't matter. Did he aim for him? No. Did he swing purposefully in the direction of the official's hand? Definitely. He did it in anger, and I'm pretty sure it was preceded by some choice words. My understanding is that contacting an official is a judgment-free call.

[Berkut]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

Whether he hit him intentionally doesn't matter. Did he aim for him? No. Did he swing purposefully in the direction of the official's hand? Definitely. He did it in anger, and I'm pretty sure it was preceded by some choice words. My understanding is that contacting an official is a judgment-free call.

Kind of has to be, doesn't it? Last thing we need is any kind of debate about whether someone "accidentally" hit an official - that just raises the possibility of getting away with taking a shot if you can pretend it was an "accident".

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Berkut

Kind of has to be, doesn't it? Last thing we need is any kind of debate about whether someone "accidentally" hit an official - that just raises the possibility of getting away with taking a shot if you can pretend it was an "accident".

That's exactly right. I can't wait to hear the local sports radio guys complain about it tomorrow on my way home from work, though.

[bradfordwilkins]

Video of Brandon Stokley Ref Contact and Ejection

Not sure honestly -- I don't know what he said and that alone could've been grounds for dismissal... but the contacting the official here seems a little finger to finger to me... I really don't know.

[fullor30]

Originally Posted by bradfordwilkins

Video of Brandon Stokley Ref Contact and Ejection

Not sure honestly -- I don't know what he said and that alone could've been grounds for dismissal... but the contacting the official here seems a little finger to finger to me... I really don't know.

Please replay and get back to us.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by bradfordwilkins

Not sure honestly -- I don't know what he said and that alone could've been grounds for dismissal... but the contacting the official here seems a little finger to finger to me... I really don't know.

That one is a no-brainer in ANY league. You do NOT contact any official that way. You start letting things like that go and it's open season on officials.

[APG]

Originally Posted by bradfordwilkins

Video of Brandon Stokley Ref Contact and Ejection

Not sure honestly -- I don't know what he said and that alone could've been grounds for dismissal... but the contacting the official here seems a little finger to finger to me... I really don't know.

You telling me if a player does this to you, you're not automatically dumping the player? This one seemed pretty cut and dry to me.

[Berkut]

Watching the replay, this is a lot more straightforward than I though. Looked to me like he intentionally slapped his hand. No brainer, on both their parts.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by bradfordwilkins

Video of Brandon Stokley Ref Contact and Ejection

Not sure honestly -- I don't know what he said and that alone could've been grounds for dismissal... but the contacting the official here seems a little finger to finger to me... I really don't know.

I'll repeat my earlier reply for you:

Just like I tell my kids, don't throw rocks in the neighborhood and then say it's an accident when you break a window.

[constable]

Originally Posted by bradfordwilkins

Video of Brandon Stokley Ref Contact and Ejection

Not sure honestly -- I don't know what he said and that alone could've been grounds for dismissal... but the contacting the official here seems a little finger to finger to me... I really don't know.

I agree what he said may have been enough to get him ejected but contacting the official is as dumb a move as you can make. Whether the contact is severe or not it doesn't matter he has to go.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

That's exactly right. I can't wait to hear the local sports radio guys complain about it tomorrow on my way home from work, though.

I predict that the league will use the expression "zero tolerance."

[grunewar]

Originally Posted by mbyron

I predict that the league will use the expression "zero tolerance."

It was just stupid.

[representing]

Originally Posted by Berkut

Kind of has to be, doesn't it? Last thing we need is any kind of debate about whether someone "accidentally" hit an official - that just raises the possibility of getting away with taking a shot if you can pretend it was an "accident".

After watching the video, I'd have to agree. Although not intentionally hitting the official, any contact against an official in any sport (except coaches in baseball apparently) should be zero tolerance. I'm sure some words he said could have influenced the ejection as well.

And before anyone says anything, I know some of you may reference back to my post last week about a player making contact with me and I didn't eject him. That was my fault and I don't need a reminder.