I would agree that there are times that you can talk to someone in the crowd and have fun with it...we are human that last time I checked. It must be the right time and the right situation.

Steamed ??? Maybe ???
 

Not sure if this qualifies you to be an esteemed member? Of course I post 100 times in a week and I'm not an esteemed member. Wonder why?

JFlores has 100 straight postings without a picture? ;) :D

And on topic

Nice

Conscience Of My Image ...
 

Don't tempt me. I have a URL address, I know how to use it, and I'm not afraid to use it.

As I was coming up through the ranks I had a senior P award a missed FT to a V player for disconcertion from an H fan all the way at the other end of the court. Really? :confused: It was amazing!

Sure, we have the authority. But it's generally better not to use it.

To correct both of you, the official didn't penalize the crowd.

He penalized the team.

And while he CAN do it, he was WAY out of line.

Fan Etiquette Guidelines
 

Here's a Sportsmanship/Fan Etiquette listing I found in a HS Basketball program:

1. Welcome visitors to your gym & treat them as guests!
2. Do not "boo" opponents or officials!
3. No chanting in poor taste or distractions during opposing introductions!
4. Always displayappreciation for good performance, even if it is by the opposing team!
5. Excercise self control & permit only POSITIVE sportsmanlike behavior-Don't accept swearing or negative comments about players or coaches in your rooting section!
6. Make an effort to know the rules of the contest!
7. Be supportive to all & this will greatly enhance your enjoyment of the contest!
8. General rules: NO noisemakers, NO signs, NO stomping/pounding on the bleachers, NO negative activity during player introductions, NO booing of officials/opponents.

How many on this list do you approve? Of those you disapprove of, why?

#6 seems to be this abstract idea. They learn a couple and generally think they know all the little nuances the game can present.
What's considered a negative comment? Disagreeing with a call or play? Then fans either won't come to this gym (if this is enforced) or a lot of fans will start being removed by game admin if they enforce this. Which to me is a bit over kill, why can't someone disagree with something on the court?
What's so wrong about stomping on the bleachers? I've never perceived it as negative at all.

Negative comments (examples): "my grandma plays better defense", my dog can coach better than you"

Negative comments basically that belittle the coach/player/team.

The stomping/pounding on the bleachers I am thinking was put in as a maintenance request.

Like I stated originally, I found this on the back of a HS Basketball Program.

OT (kinda): There's a local hockey team that has the rule that you can't bang on the glass.

I think that all fans should be shot and not heard.

I also think that I don't give a crap what the fans do as long as they don't interfere with the game.

Game management sets up their own protocols. I remember one AD, in trying to flesh out an artificial noisemaker, telling a section of students to give it up or the whole section was leaving. His attitude toward noise when opponents were shooting FTs was that you shouldn't quash school spirit. Throwing stuff, shouting obscenities, and the like are instances when GM should get involved. Issuing a T based on crowd behavior is rarely a good idea.

+1

The crowd's behavior is a reflection of the school. If Game Admin chooses to tolerate it, it's on them. As long as their comments aren't racist or threatening, and don't interfere with my ability to officiate the game, I couldn't care less what they chant.