Fan Ejection

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by PAlbc

...


Please note, there had been no prior complaint by the official in question about the fan prior to removal being requested.

Just curious what other officials would do, or if there is specific procedures that should be followed if an fan removal is requested.

Thanks.

Prior complaints are not needed, all it takes is once incident.

I go to game management and tell them there is a problem. Only once has that resulted in the fan getting ejected. Police are on duty at all HS games I work, so I don't concern myself with what goes on after I've notified game mgmt.

[PAlbc]

Note 1: I am not an official, worked the table at the game in question. Only reason I notice the official joking with the fans is because he was turned away from the court.

Note 2: This was a fan for the visiting team and the home venue administrators were attempting to remove him already. Giving the home team coach a T seems like a stretch.

I realize the easiest thing is to always have a paid police officer present, but our district hasn't had anyone ejected in at least 6 years (probably longer), and no fights or other issues in over a decade (at least). It's a tough pill to swallow if they have to foot the bill for that every game just in case some official in the future decides to have a thin skin and then ignore the situation. Most schools have "security" that can't touch anyone (except in protection of their safety or others), so having an actual officer would be the only way to get this individual to leave. Because the referee in question made no other demonstration than to walk to the table and ask for the game manager to remove the fan, most of the other fans in the stands assumed it was the home school administration asking him to leave, not the official. Some even started threatening those personnel (which the police subsequently did take care of once they arrived)

Note, the official requesting the ejection wouldn't even tell the game manager why, just said "He needs to go, now."

[BryanV21]

Other people speaking up for their fellow fan is not our problem. Sorry that happened, but we're there to take care of what happens on the court... not in the stands. If what happens in the stands is having an effect on the game, then we'll take care of it. Otherwise... good luck.

[JRutledge]

If he is a problem, I am getting rid of them. As stated I have police and security at most games. If they have to go, they have to go. I would not care what happens after the call.

Peace

[Adam]

If I've asked game management to remove a fan, I'm not going to expect to have to look over their shoulders while they do it. I'm doing it because he's a distraction, and slowing the game down for him is only feeding the troll. If GM can't get rid of a fan, that's a reflection of their own competence, IMO.

All the stuff about the crew not acting professional is valid, but completely unrelated to whether GM should have been able to remove the fan without the referee getting involved beyond the initial request.

[Rich1]

If game administration gets right on the situation I will go on with game while they remove fan. If game administration does not act or it becomes disruptive, game stops until fan is gone. Have never had to eject a fan though.

I rarely speak to fans during "real" games but in summer ball or my local youth league (where sometimes we are also the de facto administrators) I have both addressed problems and conversed casually as the situation allowed but do strongly feel that we should avoid interacting with fans at sanctioned games in order to remain/appear impartial.