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

[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.

[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.