Yelling at Officials

[ETXZebra]

https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/politics/legislature/article_128f2a48-8486-11e9-b652-53d271273f76.html


Yelling at refs could lead to jail time as Louisiana senate backs parental harassment bill
BY MARK BALLARD | mballard@theadvocate.com  Jun 1, 2019 - 10:58 am
     


Louisiana Senate backed creating the crime of harassing refs at youth athletic contests.

Meeting in a rare Saturday session, the Senate voted 35-to-0 for House Bill 184, sponsored by state Rep. Cameron Henry, R-Metairie.

The legislation creates the misdemeanor crime of “harassment of a school or recreation athletic contest official.” Conviction could lead to a maximum sentence of imprisonment for 90 days.

The measure must return to the House for its consideration of a Senate amendment that would criminalize not leaving the field and facility when ordered by police.

[HLinNC]

While I appreciate the sentiment, it would be virtually unenforceable.  Freedom of Speech issues, subjective standards, and lack of law enforcement resources would make this a non-starter.

in NC we can't get real criminals sentenced to 90 days in jail.

[AlUpstateNY]

While I appreciate the sentiment, it would be virtually unenforceable.  Freedom of Speech issues, subjective standards, and lack of law enforcement resources would make this a non-starter.
in NC we can't get real criminals sentenced to 90 days in jail.

One of many negative side effects of "Political Correctness" is an illusion to some magic license allowing people to abandon all responsibility to behaving civilly and politely, whenever it suits their emotional extremes.  Lack of absolute enforcement of "Speeding" Laws, doesn't eliminate that problem, but it very likely motivates a considerable majority of drivers, to be a lot more responsible.

As has been suggested, "We don't have a significant increase in really stupid and obnoxious people, as much as we have an increase in otherwise rational people who have become far more tolerant of stupid and obnoxious people."

[Ralph Damren]

When one encounters a barking dawg, Ye can :
   (1) ignore the barking and soon he'll stop;
   (2) respond to the barking and he'll bark louder;
   (3) drop to all fours and bark back and he may attack.

I prefer option #1, with an exception being if the fan is using profanity or berating an opposing player. I'll then approach the field supervisor (usually AD) or coach of fan's team and request : " We shouldn't have profanity or ridicule aimed at kids, could you please remind him that he's on school property and cheering for kids. Not at Fenway booing millionaires! "

IMHO, you shouldn't respond directly to an angry fan. I did once in my daze of youth and lived to tell about it .....

SCENE : Plate in baseball game, farm country, chicken-wire backstop, ole' guy in lawn chair directly behind :

(1) his team at bat, if I called a strike : "Hokey Pete, he needed a golf club/tennis racket !!"
(2) his team in the field, if I called a ball : "Hokey Pete, right down Broadway !!! "
(3) as pitcher was warming up, a wild one went to backstop;
(4) I flipped the catcher a new ball and went to retrieve the ball;
(5) as I picked up the ball and began to straighten , I came eye to eye with that fan. His eyes were glaring ;
(6) I smiled and said "  Let me know if I miss any  !"
(7) He laughed and responded : "Hokey Pete, I ain't sure you got any right yet  !"
(8) Never heard a chirp from him for the game which ended with his team losing;
(9) as other ump and I were in the parking lot, we heard him yell : "Mr. Umpire, Mr. Umpire.......";
(10) my partner warned : Don't pay any attention.... "
(11) I responded : "He called me mister, so it can't be too bad...." and waved;
(12) he waved back and said : " 'Spect you weren't too bad, thanks  "

CAUTION : The above was the action of a young ,foolish official - now an ole' grizzly official...DON'T TRY IT AT HOME   

[TxBJ]

Ralph, unfortunately it is no longer true that the ignored barking dog will stop. I still agree it is best to ignore, but don’t expect them to stop.

[AlUpstateNY]

Ralph, unfortunately it is no longer true that the ignored barking dog will stop. I still agree it is best to ignore, but don’t expect them to stop.

I've often found the advise (from the movie "Roadhouse) useful, practical and effective; "Always be nice, until it's time NOT to be nice".  Even the loudest, most annoying dog, can be trained about when to stop barking.

[Etref]

During my career, only had to have one fan removed. 8th grade game and dad threatened to whip my wing officials “donkey”

Stopped play and the administrator called PD and he was arrested and removed.

[yarnnelg]

Florida made it a felony to assault officials. First game after the law went into affect. Mom screaming at us heading in at halftime, we are escorted by Sheriff's Deputies.

Deputy says "Excuse me, I have to go inform my wife that if she doesn't shut up, our son and I will be eating take out tonight as she gets booked."

His son was playing and had been carried off the field earlier.