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

[stiffler3492]

I had a partner kick out a fan by himself once. It was the championship game of a holiday tournament. I have no idea what the fan said to get himself the boot, but he walked out without a problem.

I had a game earlier this year where I thought about kicking a fan out. Near the end of a 30-point blowout, Team A is still pressing Team B. Team A has a fan that has been very outspoken all night long, and has sort of laughed when Team B makes an errant pass or something like that.

B1 steps out of bounds to inbound the ball, right in front of this fan. B1's last name happens to be Patel. I knew that because they introduced the starters, and she was one of them. He says to her "Alright Patel, let's see what you've got".

If her last name wasn't Patel, or if I didn't know at the time at her last name was indeed Patel, I think I would have pulled the trigger.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by stiffler3492

If her last name wasn't Patel, or if I didn't know at the time at her last name was indeed Patel, I think I would have pulled the trigger.

Why? Don't go looking for trouble.

[stiffler3492]

Taunting and racism come to mind. What I can't convey here is the tone he used. It was one that said, to me, hey your team sucks you all have no business being on the same court as our far superior team.

Before every game I've worked that has a PA announcer, an announcement is read that strongly encourages sportsmanship to all present. How can we justify their reading the statement if we're not willing to enforce it?

[APG]

Originally Posted by stiffler3492

Taunting and racism come to mind. What I can't convey here is the tone he used. It was one that said, to me, hey your team sucks you all have no business being on the same court as our far superior team.

Before every game I've worked that has a PA announcer, an announcement is read that strongly encourages sportsmanship to all present. How can we justify their reading the statement if we're not willing to enforce it?

From the sounds of it, I still wouldn't of done anything...especially if the player didn't react negatively to it.

[stiffler3492]

Originally Posted by AllPurposeGamer

From the sounds of it, I still wouldn't of done anything...especially if the player didn't react negatively to it.

She shot the guy a look.

[APG]

Originally Posted by stiffler3492

She shot the guy a look.

I still probably would of let that go. I don't see the racism angle you were going with there...might be just something I don't now. And that taunting angle I would find a stretch as well...you were also there and I wasn't.

[Larks]

This past Saturday night I did the old overtly ask the police officer to go stand down in that corner (near my problem)....shut that whole section down. As a crew, we laughed about it all night, it was like going from a sports bar to a church in the span of one quarter break.

I've done the old "enough" and that's been a mixed bag.

I've tossed em myself and in all 3 cases (in 10 years), they got up and walked like it happens all the time.

I think the professional thing to do is not engage em. If they distract you from the job, have someone else move em or toss em.

Best ever....I was at a well known big school in town and a very tenured season ticket holder was wearing my partner out. My P went to the cop and brought him right to the spot and said this guy has gotta go....old guy...he says "I aint leavin". Cop said leave or go to jail. Of course then it was the old, he can barely walk, needs help on the stairs routine but in the end....my partner got a polite applause....amazing...he tosses a guy who has had that seat since the building was built in the early 80s....and got an applause.

[jdw3018]

Originally Posted by Larks

....and got an applause.

I have found that more often than not, this is the case. Generally, fans are happy to see the jacka$$es get tossed.

It makes me think that if we err, we generally err by letting folks stay longer than we should. Of course, I've also told ADs who have said they'll toss anyone we want if they cause trouble that they don't have to wait for us - if someone is causing problems, just get them out of here.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by stiffler3492

Taunting and racism come to mind. What I can't convey here is the tone he used. It was one that said, to me, hey your team sucks you all have no business being on the same court as our far superior team.

Before every game I've worked that has a PA announcer, an announcement is read that strongly encourages sportsmanship to all present. How can we justify their reading the statement if we're not willing to enforce it?

There's nothing that says fans can't taunt opponents, IMO. As for racism, how?

OOO, IMO. Unless he says something blatantly racist or profane, I'm not touching it. I repeat myself, no need to look for trouble here.

[stiffler3492]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

There's nothing that says fans can't taunt opponents, IMO. As for racism, how?

OOO, IMO. Unless he says something blatantly racist or profane, I'm not touching it. I repeat myself, no need to look for trouble here.

Well, Patel is a common Indian/Middle Eastern last name, and I've heard it used quite a bit in a derogatory sense. So like I said, if I didn't know that her name was, in fact, Patel, I probably would have taken it in a derogatory sense, which has no place in HS basketball. I think we can all agree on that.

[fullor30]

Originally Posted by stiffler3492

Well, Patel is a common Indian/Middle Eastern last name, and I've heard it used quite a bit in a derogatory sense. So like I said, if I didn't know that her name was, in fact, Patel, I probably would have taken it in a derogatory sense, which has no place in HS basketball. I think we can all agree on that.

Huh?????

[APG]

Originally Posted by fullor30

Huh?????

I'm with fullor...say what?

[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.

[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."

[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.