Fan Interference
 

This came across an email today and just wanting some different opinions or what the definite ruling was.

http://gamtape-04.vo.llnwd.net/d5c4d...fd2a/00010.mp4

Thanks

First off that Trail was pretty far out of the play on the inbounds?

Anyway was he blowing it dead because the mascot was on the floor?

I'd guess that the old L wanted to verify that the shot got off before the shot clock expired.

Did neither of you see the fan in the white shirt run on the court thinking the shot clock buzzer was the end of game buzzer? The dude almost bowled over the C.

I think OP is asking about possible techs for either the mascot or the fan coming onto the floor.

Nope, didn't see that.

What rule warrants a T in this case?

Perhaps check out this post for more info. Kinda long, but worth a read.

Just have the fan removed. Do not penalize the team for the actions of the fan.

Now the participant or mascot, that is a different story. I remember a Louisville game where a cheerleader came onto the floor and threw the ball in the air.

Peace

Two things bothered me from the time the TO ended and the Ball cleared the bottom of the net: 1) The locations of T; and 2) The clock continued to run for 0.8 seconds after the Ball cleared the bottom of the net and the clock finally stopped.

MTD, Sr.

MTD beat me to it.

Ball was clearly through at 10.1 seconds. It was stopped at 9.3s.

The shot was released with 1 on the shot clock, and was almost through the hoop at 0!, so there shouldn't be an issue with the release before the shot clock. And even if that was the concern, you have to do it before the ball is inbounded with dribbles.

The mascot did not interfere with the play. I would give him a delay of game warning. I would also remove the fan.

I had a case on the weekend where a coach did enter the court, and he did interfere with the play. He earned a T.

For what it's worth, I estimate 7 on the clock when it was stopped by the new T.

As for the old T/new L, I think he could have been at the "S", which is quite far from the "E" near half-court.

What rule would you use to give a delay of game to the mascot?

Peace

My question... does the official sounding his whistle for the follower being on the court constitute the play being interfered with? Or should we go with an IW here and resume play as the follower removed himself from the court?

My point was there is no rules support for giving a delay of game warning to someone that is not associated with the team. And if they stopped the game for the mascot or fan, they are perfectly in their right to give a T for either. I would just give one for the mascot as that is clear who they are supporting. The fan would just be removed. But there is nothing that says you give a delay for someone coming onto the court. It would be the same if a player off the bench came onto the court and interfered with the game. And as usual, this was on tape. Someone is going to see you either enforced an actual rule or not enforce an actual rule. Welcome to the video age. ;)

Peace

It wasn't an IW. He blew it for a reason. As for the followers, it's either a T or nothing, there is no support for a DOG warning.

No T
 

Here's the boxscore:

Davis & Elkins vs Fairmont State (1/26/13 at Fairmont, W.Va. -- Joe Retton Arena)

I'd toss the mascot and the fan; I'm leaning toward no Ts for either but I wouldn't have a problem with one. I'd hate to penalize the team for the actions of their followers, but the opponents were put at a disadvantage when play was stopped.

To me the mascot although should not have went onto the court, wasnt hurting anything. The kid in the white shirt is a different story being right in the middle of the play at half court and almost plowing right into the C.

Davis & Elkins? Surprised their coach didn't come on the court when this happened. During his HS days he's the only coach I've ever double T'd. 3rd quarter of a game in which he had a 40 point lead.

The in-bounding team (visitors) wasn't interfered with as a result of the mascot. There was no press - 1 white player is playing loose man-to-man, which is different than a press. In fact, B's in bounds pass was beyond the extent that the mascot was on the court. The scoring team was not disadvantaged (their players already committed to retreating). The non-scoring was not advantaged. Because of those two elements, I wouldn't go with a T wrt the mascot. If anything, the mascot is kicked out of the gym by game management. But once you sound the whistle, if you don't kick him out, and you don't issue a T, then you have to at least warn him. Call it a DOG warning of whatever you want. Bottom line: if he does it again (there may be overtime), it's easier to sell to give him a T.


As for the fan, it should be assumed from only watching the video, that he was cheering for the home team. He ran onto the court, as someone earlier surmised that he (very incorrectly) thought the SC buzzer to be the game clock buzzer, thinking that the game was over and his team won.


The C likely didn't see the fan until much later than his entrance onto the court. Pause it at late 0:24 or early 0:25 - when you first see the fan on the court. At this time, the slot hadn't moved his eyes off the action in the paint at the score, and the subsequent throw-in play in the BC. You can see the new Trail looking in that direction well before the fan exited the floor. The Trail properly waited to see if there was a reason to kill the play, and he did. The fan must be removed if not given a T. But again, if you keep him in the gym, warn him. If you warn him for delaying the game, by no means do I mean it's one of the typical warnings a team received before a T is called. The only disadvantage to the visiting team is having play stopped. Their ability to advance wasn't hindered because they weren't open nearer the basket. So you'd have to earn your $75 to determine if the disadvantage they had is T worthy.

I'd have no issue if a T was given, fwiw.

Maybe I was hearing things but why did the shot clock buzzer continue to sound for what seemed like an extended amount of time? No one has addressed this so I thought I would throw this into the mix. What a fiasco.

Most here go off for a set period of time unless reset earlier by the operator. This one should have been reset.

At this point in the game, I would go with ejections of the mascot and player rather than punishing the white team (who made a great shot to take the lead) with technicals for the actions of their fans.

Additionally, the gray team (team down 1 point) was able to make an offensive substitution due to the stoppage of play. I surmise that the gray team did not have any timeouts to get that player in the game, so despite the delay and perceived disadvantage had a fair chance to win the game.

FUN FACT EDIT: Before she hit that game-winning shot, white #1 was 1-16.

Visitors missed a lay-up on their final possession.

If opponents are put at a disadvantage because of fan, then I don't see how a T can't be called....

If official is blowing whistle to put back .8 on the clock then he gets out of calling T...

If time on clock is issue then substitute can't enter game...

Wow a lot of variables on play !!!!!!!

Citation on subs not coming in because of a clock issue?

From a rules guy...
 

I got it MS....

From 3-4-1 (NCAA):

h. Substitutions shall not be permitted when the game clock has been stopped after successful field goals in the last 59.9 seconds of the second half or any extra period and before the clock has been properly started except for the following:

1. Those substitutions permitted by rule including, but not limited to, injury, blood, violation, foul, disqualification, timeout, or for a lost, displaced or irritated contact lens or displaced eyeglasses.

2. There shall be no substitutions during the dead ball period when the clock is stopped for the made basket to correct a timing mistake or for an inadvertent whistle.