Bad Fans

[IRISHMAFIA]

Control over fans is a tough field. All of the books we reference teach and instruct us how to handle the game inside the fence, but carries no jurisdiction over non-participants.

Many times you may be on public parkland were that "fan" actually has a civic right to be should s/he wish. Sometimes local coordinators have no problem taking their fee, but really do not want to get legally involved with something like this. Also, liability can come into play here and the police may be the only option.

However, unless your local league gives you some sort of jurisdiction over the fans (something that I don't want), the simplest way to handle an obnoxious fan is to call both managers together and explain to them the game stops until that fan is under control or gone. Even though the public may have a "right" to be near the field and express their opinions, there is no "civic right" to demand you umpire a game on that field.

Yes, refusing to umpire the game may default a contract, but there is no reason for your association not to back you up and address the local organization which is in control of the property and/or league. If they don't, it is not an organization of which I would desire to be a member.