Incident in Texas HS Playoff Game

[Brett]

Originally Posted by GoodScout

People wonder why there's so much lawlessness and lack or respect for authority in this country. It's because we teach it during childhood.

Can we please stop with the hyperbole?

If you want the kid to be punished via the criminal justice system, fine. Let's not pretend that the punishment will be a deterrent to the next kid that loses his mind during a physical game, though. Let's also not pretend that we live in the wild wild west and that authority figures in this country haven't repeatedly and irreparably abused their authority leading to the diminished respect some here have for authority figures in general.

I understand the player violated the criminal code in TX. I understand the desire of some to charge him with a crime. I would support the battered official if he chose to press charges. What I won't do is sit here and watch ALL of you pontificate ad nauseam on how the offended official is wrong (in his handling of the situation) and you are right without pointing out that the situation might not be so black and white for some of us.

Personally, I would treat this as a civil matter if injured and would consider it a risk of stepping on the field into a heated physical situation if not. I just can't imaging getting the police involved either way. If that makes me stupid in all of your eyes, I'll wear the hat.

[JRutledge]

Brett,

I do not see this as an either/or situation. You can still have a criminal case as well as a civil case. There is president for this all over the country when fights or other non-playing action takes place on a field or during play. I have no problem with a kid getting some kind of criminal case against him in this very situation. And if I was the official, there would be a civil case too. People would expect the same if an official went off and hit a coach or player. I do not see why this is any different.

Peace

[Texas Aggie]

TASO (Texas officials association) is very much lacking in quality leadership, so I don't doubt the mixed message some are hearing about the charges. I wouldn't be surprised if someone in TASO leadership said "don't file because we don't want to risk angering anyone", or "we don't want to bother with the hassle."

Instead, there should have been a press release from TASO and UIL commenting on the situation and note that assault charges were being looked into.

[umpirebob71]

Brett, OK, In my eyes, you're stupid. What that boy did anywhere else would have been immediate grounds for an arrest. If you consider what happened just a risk of stepping on the field, I'm glad I don't depend on you to have my back in a situation like this.

Every time something like this goes unpunished, it puts the rest of us in danger of being on the receiving end of a shot like that Texas official took. That may be OK in your book, but not in mine. And, thank goodness, not OK with the guys I work with every Friday night. I pity the guys you work with, if, in fact, you are an official.

[Forksref]

Anyone ever consider that having charges filed against the kid might actually be doing him a favor? There is the chance that he has no structure in his life and getting into the juvenile system might be a wake up call for him? Believe it or not, I've seen kids turned around by the system. Of course, maybe I've blown his situation out of proportion but I suspect that what I saw on video was not normal for a kid and maybe a symptom of something more serious. Now, it's possible that the coaches might be addressing the problem and many do a great job of being the father figure to troubled kids but then there are some that are only concerned with winning games.

[TXMike]

Originally Posted by Texas Aggie

TASO (Texas officials association) is very much lacking in quality leadership, so I don't doubt the mixed message some are hearing about the charges. I wouldn't be surprised if someone in TASO leadership said "don't file because we don't want to risk angering anyone", or "we don't want to bother with the hassle."

Instead, there should have been a press release from TASO and UIL commenting on the situation and note that assault charges were being looked into.

TASO leaders did recommend he file the report, but he chose not to.

[GPC2]

Originally Posted by Brett

Can we please stop with the hyperbole?

If you want the kid to be punished via the criminal justice system, fine. Let's not pretend that the punishment will be a deterrent to the next kid that loses his mind during a physical game, though. Let's also not pretend that we live in the wild wild west and that authority figures in this country haven't repeatedly and irreparably abused their authority leading to the diminished respect some here have for authority figures in general.

I understand the player violated the criminal code in TX. I understand the desire of some to charge him with a crime. I would support the battered official if he chose to press charges. What I won't do is sit here and watch ALL of you pontificate ad nauseam on how the offended official is wrong (in his handling of the situation) and you are right without pointing out that the situation might not be so black and white for some of us.

Personally, I would treat this as a civil matter if injured and would consider it a risk of stepping on the field into a heated physical situation if not. I just can't imaging getting the police involved either way. If that makes me stupid in all of your eyes, I'll wear the hat.

I'm with you Brett.

[GoodScout]

Originally Posted by Brett

Can we please stop with the hyperbole?

If you want the kid to be punished via the criminal justice system, fine. Let's not pretend that the punishment will be a deterrent to the next kid that loses his mind during a physical game, though. Let's also not pretend that we live in the wild wild west and that authority figures in this country haven't repeatedly and irreparably abused their authority leading to the diminished respect some here have for authority figures in general.

I understand the player violated the criminal code in TX. I understand the desire of some to charge him with a crime. I would support the battered official if he chose to press charges. What I won't do is sit here and watch ALL of you pontificate ad nauseam on how the offended official is wrong (in his handling of the situation) and you are right without pointing out that the situation might not be so black and white for some of us.

Personally, I would treat this as a civil matter if injured and would consider it a risk of stepping on the field into a heated physical situation if not. I just can't imaging getting the police involved either way. If that makes me stupid in all of your eyes, I'll wear the hat.

You are passionate, Mozart, but you do not persuade.

I didn't say the official was at fault if he didn't drag the kid through the process. My call is that SOMEONE, preferably his school, UIL, TASO or as a last resort, the offended official, has to provide some accounting. Otherwise it sends the signal (and you're naive if you think it doesn't in this YouTube era) that you can take such action and have a good chance at getting away with it.

As others have said, I sure wouldn't want you as a back judge behind me in the middle.