Fan Ejection

[BryanV21]

I don't think I'd ever give a team a tech for how their fans are behaving. It's not in their control, nor should it be their responsibility. If anybody is to blame for not taking care of the fans it's game administrators, and in that case I'll let my assignor know of the issue and let them handle things.

And besides a quick "hello" or head nod, officials should not be communicating with fans. It's not only unprofessional, but can lead to coaches and/or players from the opposing team to feel they are being unfairly treated. And although it may not be true, it can lead to some bad situations.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by BryanV21

I don't think I'd ever give a team a tech for how their fans are behaving. It's not in their control, nor should it be their responsibility. If anybody is to blame for not taking care of the fans it's game administrators, and in that case I'll let my assignor know of the issue and let them handle things.

Ever? Not even a fan stepping on the floor or throwing things?

[BryanV21]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

Ever? Not even a fan stepping on the floor or throwing things?

Okay, I'm sure there are extreme cases when a tech is deserved, but I was thinking more along the lines of what happened in the the OP. Meaning the problem(s) didn't spill onto the court and disturb the game itself.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by BryanV21

Okay, I'm sure there are extreme cases when a tech is deserved, but I was thinking more along the lines of what happened in the the OP. Meaning the problem(s) didn't spill onto the court and disturb the game itself.

I agree. And I suspect none of this nonsense would have occurred had the officials not been trying to be Mr. Congeniality with the fans in the first place.

[PAlbc]

So what if this was a middle school game, or other level with no game manager or security? Let the coach deal with it? Even if it's not their fan?

Would you hold up the game then?

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by PAlbc

So what if this was a middle school game, or other level with no game manager or security? Let the coach deal with it? Even if it's not their fan?

Would you hold up the game then?

If you know for which team the fan is rooting, then have that coach deal with it.

[PAlbc]

But that would again require holding up the game if you are asking the coach to cross the court and take care of it, right?

[Adam]

Originally Posted by PAlbc

So what if this was a middle school game, or other level with no game manager or security? Let the coach deal with it? Even if it's not their fan?

Would you hold up the game then?

Every site I've been to has someone in charge. MS games, it may well be the home school's coach. Normally there's an AD or a Principal or someone, but not always. If not, it falls to the home coach (not a good situation for a variety of reasons). If it's a summer game, there's normally a tournament or league representative nearby to handle it if necessary, but if not it gets a bit tricky.

If the fan is so unruly that you can't continue the game with him present, you simply stop the game and inform both coaches that you won't be continuing the game until that fan has left the confines.

[PAlbc]

You say both it's the GM's incompetence and that you would tell both coaches you would wait. So if some poor guy getting $30 to be a game manager is actually there it's not your problem, but if there isn't you'll wait. Why couldn't you wait in both cases?

I'm going to ask you point blank. If you are legally not allowed to do anything other than:

"Sir, the ref has asked to have you removed. Please come with me."

"No, F off. Suck my ----" (words the gentleman used last night).

"Fine, I'm calling the police."

Call to police is made, and GM and AD stand there (continuing to ask him to leave) and wait.

The whole point of the ejection is to punish them by not being able to watch the game in question, which they still get to do since they refuse to leave and you restarted play. Stand at the table for 1 minute, they guy will be pressured to leave (most likely by the visiting team coach, and his son who was on the team). Problem solved, unruly fan gone, situation diffused.

So what would you have them do? You say it's incompetence, so what is your solution? Or are you just going to go with the "it's not my problem" route? Your decision caused this problem so you should have some idea how to solve it if you say they are incompetent. It's rather sad if you don't understand (or care) that your decision forces someone else to have to deal with the repercussions.

[bainsey]

Originally Posted by PAlbc

So what if this was a middle school game, or other level with no game manager or security? Let the coach deal with it? Even if it's not their fan?

Yes, either the coach or athletic administrator. If it's a visiting fan, and the visiting coach wants to step it up and assist, fine.

"Kids, back to your benches. This game will not continue until this person is removed."

[Eastshire]

If I've asked the GM to remove a fan (rather than just to shut them up), it's because the game cannot continue with them there.

To those who say it's not fair to the innocent fans to have to wait, what about those fans who now cannot see the game because of the people standing in the way trying to remove the unruly fan?

If you resume the game, you're making the GM's job much harder because you are taking away leverage for getting the fan out without force.

It's also very surprising that a varsity basketball game doesn't have at lease one officer there on duty in the first place.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

I agree. And I suspect none of this nonsense would have occurred had the officials not been trying to be Mr. Congeniality with the fans in the first place.

I've joked with a fan or two in the past. I'm there to do a good job, but I'm going to have some fun while I'm there.