Middle School Unsportsmanlike Conduct by Nonplayer

[TNStripes]

This situation was described to me this morning and I wanted to see what officials across the country thought about it.

In TN, most MS game chain crews are fresh/soph students/players on the varsity team instead of adults but they are still part of the officiating crew.

Last night between two local teams the ball was going out of bounds near the line to gain equipment. One of the chain crew didn't or couldn't get out of the way in time. Players crashed into sideline and equipment but no one was hurt or injured that I know of. I do not know if they were the required 6 ft off but this school does have plenty of room so they should have been. As the players were re-entering the field an asst. coach on the visiting team grabbed, shook, and verbally assaulted the young chain worker.

Knowing how most MS games are staffed and operated in your areas, would you flag & disqualify under 9.4.2 - intentionally contacting an official? or any 9.8.1 situation? Let it go with warnings and conversations, etc?

Input please.

Thanks.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by TNStripes

This situation was described to me this morning and I wanted to see what officials across the country thought about it.

In TN, most MS game chain crews are fresh/soph students/players on the varsity team instead of adults but they are still part of the officiating crew.

Last night between two local teams the ball was going out of bounds near the line to gain equipment. One of the chain crew didn't or couldn't get out of the way in time. Players crashed into sideline and equipment but no one was hurt or injured that I know of. I do not know if they were the required 6 ft off but this school does have plenty of room so they should have been. As the players were re-entering the field an asst. coach on the visiting team grabbed, shook, and verbally assaulted the young chain worker.

Knowing how most MS games are staffed and operated in your areas, would you flag & disqualify under 9.4.2 - intentionally contacting an official? or any 9.8.1 situation? Let it go with warnings and conversations, etc?

Input please.

Thanks.

I would throw my flag towards his bus and tell him to go retrieve it.

[JugglingReferee]

I have a non-yardage ejection. No possibility of anything else.

[JasonTX]

Not only would he be disqualified, but I'd also be calling for the game administrator and security because of the possibilty that the kids dad or mom would likely be coming down to take matters into their own hands. This type of violence should not be allowed and in Texas we'd be filing a report with the state organization.

[Mike L]

He'd be gone so fast you'd see those little cartoon streaky lines behind him.

[mcrowder]

I agree with everything above. Eject, Write Up, and no yards.

[Texas Aggie]

While Jason is spot on here and yardage is the least of my concerns at the moment, why no yardage? He's an assistant coach. If he yelled a profanity at you, you'd tack on 15.

I'd also call the police. The coach committed a crime here.

[Forksref]

I'd do all of the above and also call the principal of the school. Whether the coach was a teacher there or not, the principal will want to know what happened in regard to her/his team. It's best to hear it firsthand.