Official in stands yelling

[RookieDude]

Originally Posted by StripesOhio

So, had the association meeting last night.

Brought it up with the secretary and he laughed.....

...can you see JR laughing at something like this?

I gotta think a better assignor would not make light of this.

[StripesOhio]

He's not an assignor, just the secretary of the association. He wasn't laughing at the situation, just laughing I think that he had heard it a couple of times already this week.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by RookieDude

...can you see JR laughing at something like this?

In my association, it's posted as being an absolute no-no in our code of conduct and also in our bylaws. If you're caught crapping on a fellow official publicly, the first offense is an immediate indefinite suspension with no warning(length determined by executive). The second offense is Hasta La Vista and don't let the door hit your azz on the way out. And it doesn't matter whether the public criticism was valid or not either; you keep your problems in-house and deal with them.

An officials' association is no different than a crew out on the floor. One person can make the whole association/crew look bad. And if we can't turn our back on one of your own, then we all have major, major problems.

If I was in the position of having to deal with that type of conduct, it would have been dealt with the first time that I heard of it. I sureashell wouldn't wait until I'd heard about it 3 times and then decide to do something about it.

We all may be amateur officials but that doesn't mean that we can't act professionally.

[StripesOhio]

I wouldn't say we are amateurs, we do take classes and hold permits. I think that makes us professional.

I agree, no 3 strikes. One time deal.

One thing they brought up at our meeting was officials who are parents. When they sit in the stands and a call is made, people in the crowd turn and look at the parent/official and ask questions.

Discussion ensued how to deal with that as well.

[26 Year Gap]

Originally Posted by StripesOhio

I wouldn't say we are amateurs, we do take classes and hold permits. I think that makes us professional.

I agree, no 3 strikes. One time deal.

One thing they brought up at our meeting was officials who are parents. When they sit in the stands and a call is made, people in the crowd turn and look at the parent/official and ask questions.

Discussion ensued how to deal with that as well.

Well, get to work on proposing the amendment, then. If it is not already addressed in the bylaws. It may be something that goes to the Executive Board and then comes out for a vote by the membership. But, if there is nothing in the bylaws, it allows for "We can't do anything" as a response. If it is in the bylaws, then you follow the procedure outlined. [Which should also be provided along with the amendment.] Whether it is 1 time & yer out or something different is not material. Just make sure you get something done. Sounds like others would support it.

[representing]

Originally Posted by StripesOhio

I wouldn't say we are amateurs, we do take classes and hold permits. I think that makes us professional.

I agree, no 3 strikes. One time deal.

One thing they brought up at our meeting was officials who are parents. When they sit in the stands and a call is made, people in the crowd turn and look at the parent/official and ask questions.

Discussion ensued how to deal with that as well.

I was the brother official when my sister played varsity high school. Same thing would happen, if an official made a call that the other players' relatives didn't agree on, all eyes were on my. Sometimes I'd explain it, sometimes I'd just shrug my shoulders.

[SmokeEater]

This may not and probably isnt the same type of situation you had but, as an official with children playing ball on competative teams, I felt a responsibility to teach them the rules of the game. They helped me to study and review the rules and interpretations each season. To me this is not a bad plan. Now when they are playing they know the rules and when calls are incorrect or obvious (to them) and do not getting any whistles, they would look to me. Sometimes I would to direct them to continue playing like they have been taught and they will get the right calls.

Theres the hitch that comment can be construed as trying to show up the official. Right or wrong it was not intended that way.

[CMHCoachNRef]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

In my association, it's posted as being an absolute no-no in our code of conduct and also in our bylaws. If you're caught crapping on a fellow official publicly, the first offense is an immediate indefinite suspension with no warning(length determined by executive). The second offense is Hasta La Vista and don't let the door hit your azz on the way out. And it doesn't matter whether the public criticism was valid or not either; you keep your problems in-house and deal with them.

An officials' association is no different than a crew out on the floor. One person can make the whole association/crew look bad. And if we can't turn our back on one of your own, then we all have major, major problems.

If I was in the position of having to deal with that type of conduct, it would have been dealt with the first time that I heard of it. I sureashell wouldn't wait until I'd heard about it 3 times and then decide to do something about it.

We all may be amateur officials but that doesn't mean that we can't act professionally.

I don't think that central Ohio has a specific rule in any of our associations. At the same time, I do know that an official I know had to send a letter of apology to an official for criticizing him in public. This official CONTINUES to be critical of officials during his son's games. The only thing that saves him today is that FEW officials KNOW he is an official.