At what point do you engage/remove an obnoxious fan?

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally Posted by rfp

I make it a point to completely tune out fans, unless I happen to hear loud, abusive or foul language and know exactly who said it -- so I can get him/her ejected. But the other night, in a 30-point blowout, after calling an obvious foul on the losing team, a parent of the losing team in the stands nearest where I'm standing makes some comment about me stealing my game fee for my work in the game. Being down 30, it was a pretty ridiculous comment. I usually don't pay attention to any fan comments, but this one really irritated me, it was so stupid and uncalled for. Is there a point, shy of the obvious, that you'll remove a fan for a stupid comment like this? Or ignore except for swearing?

Unless a fan makes a threat of violence against the officials or participants (bench personnel included) or comes out on the court, IGNORE IT! Then let Game Management handle it.

MTD, Sr.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

If a person is over the top obnoxious, I have with some friends bring my partner with me together and look at the individual and even point directly at them, but we could be talking about anything like where we are going to eat or what cute girl is in the stands and usually this gets the fan's attention and the people with them. They know they have been pointed out and they usually fall in line without any other action as their spouse or child gets them to stop because of their total embarrassment. Every time I have seen this done, there is no need for further action.

I do this too, but I go over to the cop by the door and point to the offender. Works very well.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

There's nothing that says fans can't taunt opponents, IMO.

I disagree with this. I have probably had only a handful of people removed in 24 years, but if I knew that a fan was taunting a HS player, I wouldn't hesitate to get the AD and have the idiot thrown out.

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by stiffler3492

I take it along the same lines as calling a Mexican guy a beaner or an Italian guy a greaseball.

Racially derogatory terms. The way I've heard "Patel" used, it's almost never in a nice way.

Maybe there is some hidden meaning to "Patel" that I am not aware of but I would not equate a name with a slur such as one of the ones above.

With apologies to Freddy, no need to be a plumber here.

[hoopguy]

In my area, the schools read a 'fans code of conduct' statement before all varsity High School games expressing exactly what is expected and allowed of the fans. I can't recite it word for word but part of the code of conduct is that you definitely can not single out a player by using his or her name and be critical in a negative sense. This would include the players parents I would definitely talk to game management if I thought a negative comment was directed at a player using the players name. The fans code of conduct basically says to cheer for your team or keep quiet. There are references to players, coaches and officials and how they must be treated. Also, the burden on enforcing this is on game management but that does not mean that we as officials can't help out when we hear something that they may not hear.

This does not mean I would have rabbit ears on minor things directed at me but I believe the players should be protected from insults from idiots.

[jdw3018]

Originally Posted by stiffler3492

I take it along the same lines as calling a Mexican guy a beaner or an Italian guy a greaseball.

Racially derogatory terms. The way I've heard "Patel" used, it's almost never in a nice way.

I've never heard Patel used this way - but admittedly I've never lived in an area with much, if any, Indian population. However, I can see the point you're making - if you are saying it would be like someone using something like "Paco" to refer to a Hispanic player.

In any of these cases I'd have to be certain it was being done in a racial way.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by stiffler3492

You guys have never heard Patel used as an insult?

No, but I don't hang out with people who use racial insults on a regular basis. Frankly, I've never heard a racial slur on a basketball court, either.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

I disagree with this. I have probably had only a handful of people removed in 24 years, but if I knew that a fan was taunting a HS player, I wouldn't hesitate to get the AD and have the idiot thrown out.

Fair enough, but it would have to be a) extremely obvious and b) a lot more serious that "let's see what you've got."

[Adam]

Originally Posted by jdw3018

I've never heard Patel used this way - but admittedly I've never lived in an area with much, if any, Indian population. However, I can see the point you're making - if you are saying it would be like someone using something like "Paco" to refer to a Hispanic player.

In any of these cases I'd have to be certain it was being done in a racial way.

I'm starting to get the reference (no, I've never heard it; must be a regional thing), but I've never heard common names used as racial slurs like this. Well, I have heard folks use "Hajji" used to reference middle eastern muslims; but that's not a name so much as a title from what I understand.

If, as you say, it's a common slur in your area, I would still need to be sure it wasn't her name before I'd even think about it. Not the other way around as you suggested. Benefit of the doubt goes to the person making the statement here, IMO.

[stir22]

we have one school in our area where the fan's are so obnoxious that a lot of the guys have blocked the school. so, those of us who haven't end up going there a lot. no matter what we do, nothing seems to help. the AD is sympathetic to our plight and tries, but it seems like the next game the same stuff happens. fans have been ejected for the game/season, but it just goes on and on.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by stir22

we have one school in our area where the fan's are so obnoxious that a lot of the guys have blocked the school. so, those of us who haven't end up going there a lot. no matter what we do, nothing seems to help. the AD is sympathetic to our plight and tries, but it seems like the next game the same stuff happens. fans have been ejected for the game/season, but it just goes on and on.

Suggest to him that he clear the gym for a game sometime; just to get his point across.

[stir22]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

Suggest to him that he clear the gym for a game sometime; just to get his point across.

thanks.....i'm out there again next week...he's a great AD, and sick of his own fans. i'll do that.

[jdw3018]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

Suggest to him that he clear the gym for a game sometime; just to get his point across.

Ditto.

Obviously, if it's so bad that officials are choosing not to work there anymore, the tolerance level needs to decrease there. Remove a fan as early as problems begin Instead of choosing one fan, clear a section of the bleachers. Instead of a section, an entire side.

If the "innocent" fans begin to be punished for the actions of the knuckleheads, they will start to hold each other accountable. It sounds like a problem of culture, and big things must happen to change culture.

[TimTaylor]

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.

Unless a fan makes a threat of violence against the officials or participants (bench personnel included) or comes out on the court, IGNORE IT! Then let Game Management handle it.

MTD, Sr.

Agree. We never interact directly with the fans. If one becomes disruptive to the point it needs to be addressed, we have game management deal with it.

[JRutledge]

Unless you are a racial minority or someone outside of the normal community, these things should not be dismissed. I completely understand the point that is being made by the usage of a name and the way it was done. People do not have to use derogatory names to have a racial, ethnic or even religious tone to them. Just the story sounds like there was an attempt to humiliate or point out the person's racial background. And I have no problem for this action to be taken by Stiffler on this matter and I would take a similar action. Been in enough situations where things are said in ways that make it clear they are trying to make a racial point. I am sure most here are not either privy to those situations or even know how to recognize them when they are taking place.

Peace