Official Attacked

[SRQREF]

I'm new to the forum and first time poster. This attack occurred last night in a VB game with officials in an adjoining association. Truely amazing, YouTube link below

YouTube - Ref gets tossed by Desoto player

[ref2coach]

Wow! HC and AC got there quick to remove the perp. so that was good in spite of player behavior.

[rockyroad]

Not sure about Florida's laws, but here that is a Class C Felony and the kid would be arrested and spend the rest of the night in jail, to be arraigned and tried at a later date.

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by rockyroad

Not sure about Florida's laws, but here that is a Class C Felony and the kid would be arrested and spend the rest of the night in jail, to be arraigned and tried at a later date.

Here in Oregon, assault on a sports official is automatically a Class A misdemeanor and will be prosecuted. Depending on the severity of the assault, it may rise to the level of a felony. This was a law passed a few years ago here. At the time it was going through our legislature, I testified in committee in its favor as a member of NASO. I keep a copy of the law in my bag. We also have a law here in this state that if you are directed to leave a facility by a sports official and you refuse to leave, you may be arrested for trespassing.

[SCalScoreKeeper]

Hey all,
Sad to watch that video! I did a quick google search on Florida law pertaining to assault on a sports official and here is what I found.

Fl. Stat. § 784. 081

Assault or battery against a sports official actively participating in an athletic contest or immediately after and the actor knows or has reason to know the victim’s identity, position, or employment

When the underlying crime is:

• Aggravated battery: 1st degree felony—up to 30 years in prison, up to $ 10,000 fine, or both

• Aggravated assault: 2nd degree felony—up to 15 years in prison, up to $ 10,000 fine, or both

• Battery: 3rd degree felony—up to five years in prison, up to $ 5,000 fine, or both

• Assault: 1st degree misdemeanor—up to one year in prison, up to $ 1,000 fine, or both

Referee, umpire, linesman, or similar official known by another title, registered or a member of a local, state, regional, or national organization that educates and trains sports officials

Here in Southern California the player who is ejected must be suspended for their team's next scheduled contest. California Penal Code 243.8 states that the sentence for assaulting a sports official is either a fine not to exceed $2,000 or 1 year in county jail or both.

I would hope that the school suspends him for the remainder of this season and all of the next one if he has eligibility remaining.

[VaTerp]

Originally Posted by SCalScoreKeeper

I would hope that the school suspends him for the remainder of this season and all of the next one if he has eligibility remaining.

I'm a pretty forgiving guy but IMHO his scholastic playing career should be OVER. Regardless of how many years of eligibility he has left.

[JFlores]

My first year officiating in 2007, at the end of the game for some reason I look back at a member of the losing team (I think I was looking for my partner cant remember), so the kid looks at me and says "WTF are you looking at" and throws his hands up. I had this grin/smirk on my face, thinking to myself is this young man serious, or perhaps it was because I never thought something like this would happen.

The coach was nearby, so I told him what went on and to handle the situation.

Not sure what my reaction would be if what happened in the video were to happen to me? Scary thought though and hope I am never in that situation.

With that being said if a player or parent approaches me outside in the parking lot, its on.

[Da Official]

Unfortunate....

[Welpe]

Wow. Talk about a temper tantrum. Hopefully the official wasn't injured.

If you all don't mind, let's dissect this a bit as there is a lot going on. First there is at least a common or possibly intentional foul. Then the calling official assesses what appears to be a flagrant technical on the player. After that we have at least two more flagrant technicals on the same player.

My thoughts are we assess all fouls against the player without any indirects to the head coach and the other team is shooting at least 6 shots with the lane cleared.

What I'm wondering is if you all would consider ending the game at this point as this crew did?

It also gets me to thinking as to what I would do in this official's situation. I think he was clearly surprised but I'm not so sure I would just stand there either. Hard to say from the comfort of my computer screen.

[Adam]

Not sure what the original call was, but it looks like a TC foul followed by a technical foul followed by a flagrant (I'd likely go with 1) felony foul.

As for ending the game? Probably. Depending on what happened before, it could be a definitely thing. But now you've got officials (at least one) who are emotionally shaken (I know I'd be).

[DLH17]

So much for "hurt feelings".... how about a hurt face???

[rockyroad]

Originally Posted by Welpe

It also gets me to thinking as to what I would do in this official's situation. I think he was clearly surprised but I'm not so sure I would just stand there either. Hard to say from the comfort of my computer screen.

And what other response would you envision yourself taking? If it involves physical retaliation, be prepared to be arrested yourself and/or face possible lawsuits in the future.

You are the adult on the scene...you will - like it or not - be held to a higher standard than the juvenile involved.

[Welpe]

I was thinking more along the lines of creating or keeping distance between myself and the player to try and descalate the situation. Obviously retaliation is not an option and it is certainly not descalating the situation.

I agree that as the adult I am held to the higher standard, but I also reserve the right to protect myself from physical injury against a "kid" that has six inches on me and is physically stronger than I am.

[rockyroad]

Originally Posted by Welpe

I was thinking more along the lines of creating or keeping distance between myself and the player to try and descalate the situation. Obviously retaliation is not an option and it is certainly not descalating the situation.

I agree that as the adult I am held to the higher standard, but I also reserve the right to protect myself from physical injury against a "kid" that has six inches on me and is physically stronger than I am.

The "create or keep distance" is pretty much your best course of action. As far as the right to protect yourself - all I can say is that the courts in this great country sometimes have a different view of that right than we do. As a teacher, I learned long ago to never use force against a student attacking me. About the only time I can legally use physical force is if it will prevent harm to another student. That was the only acceptable defense in the situation I found myself in a number of years ago.

[RookieDude]

Originally Posted by rockyroad

As a teacher, I learned long ago to never use force against a student attacking me. .

I remember a day when teachers were not afraid of the students or afraid of what might happen if they touched them...touch? Heck, Whack the he!! out of them with big ol paddles if their hands weren't enough.

I'm not saying those were "good ol' days"...but, somewhere between there and where we are now seems more reasonable.

I guess that's one of the reasons I got out of teaching, after just one year, at the age of 23.

Rocky sounds like he has a story (or two)...well, I have one I will share.

Once upon a time...there was this young 23 year old P.E. teacher/coach coming in from track practice with his Middle School kids. Some H.S. kids were milling around the outside Locker Room entrance. (The High School and Middle School were on the same grounds, as this was a small rural school in southern Idaho.)

Well, as the young teacher was getting ready to enter the building, a H.S. kid says, "Hey dude, what's up?"...and preceded to knock the baseball cap off the young teacher's head.

Young teacher saw red...grabbed the H.S. kid by the back of his collar and not very gently at all put his head on the pavement. The H.S. kid was then directed to "pick up my hat". After some time of feeling around on the ground for the hat...his cheek was against the pavement...he found it and handed the hat over to the young teacher. The young teacher must have still been seeing red because as soon as the young teacher had hat in hand, he gave the H.S. kid a good shove against a nearby car.

Probably not the best way to handle it...and for sure this young teacher had not been taught that in his College Education Methods class...but, you know what? That H.S. troublemaker (I guess he had a rep) was a perfect gentleman every time that young teacher saw him after that. It was Mr. this and Mr. that.

I know that story could have had all kinds of bad endings...but, lucky for this young teacher...nothing came of it.

Soooo, that young teacher could have been fired...Well, this ol' basketball offical might get fired if he thinks he is in physical danger and reacts accordingly. i.e. defending one's self.

Arrested?...we'll work it out in the courts.