New rule in Texas...

[SCHSref]

Hello Bulldogs fans and community,

We want to share an important message regarding fan behavior at all athletic events. As of the 2025-2026 school year, Texas Law: SB 2929 is in effect. This law allows game officials to immediately remove spectators for disruptive or inappropriate behavior without a warning.

Your cooperation is vital to fostering good sportsmanship and protecting the integrity of our programs. Please remember to:

Cheer for our players, not against the other team.

Treat officials and visiting teams with respect.

Help keep our events positive for everyone.

Please be aware that if a spectator is asked to leave, the decision is final under Texas law. Schools are also allowed only three such incidents before they risk losing home officials for future games.

Thank you for your understanding and for helping us maintain a positive environment for all.

[hef333]

WOW!  ...I would LOVE to hear about this as the season progresses....and if indeed spectators do get ejected...if the courts eventually get involved in this...but CERTAINLY a  foot in the right direction.....GO TEXAS! 

[dammitbobby]

I am pretty sure that every year, it is definitely more than zero fans get tossed... I do know that this past year, fan ejections were down 66% (probably 3 the year before, and only 2 this past year, if I had to guess.)

But.

Coach ejections were up 44% this past year too.

(for Texas) 

[AlUpstateNY]

WOW!  ...I would LOVE to hear about this as the season progresses....and if indeed spectators do get ejected...if the courts eventually get involved in this...but CERTAINLY a  foot in the right direction.....GO TEXAS! 

FWIW, The attention, and focus, of Game Officials has always been on actions, and behaviors, on the field of play (including OOB areas).  Spectator actions & behaviors have been the responsibility of Venue management, and if & when necessary, provided Police.  Focus and concentration on the game, players, sideline team personnel & player safety, behavior & rule compliance demand "FULL Time" responsibilities & focus of Game Officials.

Spectator behavior is, and should be, the exclusive responsibility of "Venue, and /or Civic" compliance.  Extending this responsibility to Game Officials, runs a serious, risk of unnecessarily (and unintentional) encouragement of unwelcome & excessive spectator behavior while distracting focus from Game Officials primary intended concentration & focus. Game Officials currently have the authority to interrupt, delay, postpone Game activity should ANY activity/behavior threaten the safety of participants.
   

[SCHSref]

FWIW, The attention, and focus, of Game Officials has always been on actions, and behaviors, on the field of play (including OOB areas).  Spectator actions & behaviors have been the responsibility of Venue management, and if & when necessary, provided Police.  Focus and concentration on the game, players, sideline team personnel & player safety, behavior & rule compliance demand "FULL Time" responsibilities & focus of Game Officials.

Spectator behavior is, and should be, the exclusive responsibility of "Venue, and /or Civic" compliance.  Extending this responsibility to Game Officials, runs a serious, risk of unnecessarily (and unintentional) encouragement of unwelcome & excessive spectator behavior while distracting focus from Game Officials primary intended concentration & focus. Game Officials currently have the authority to interrupt, delay, postpone Game activity should ANY activity/behavior threaten the safety of participants.
   

While I totally understand your POV, I like the rule because it gives us the authority to do something about the problem rather than rely on telling someone else to handle it

[dammitbobby]

As I understand it, the origin of this stems not from the fact that there was a loophole in state law that specifically said for someone to be ejected for the venue/facility, they had to be given a warning first. It became an issue when a fan was tossed, without the 'proper' warning, and promptly sued the school district.

This gives officials the tool to bypass what could be lazy/ineffective game administrators and deal with the problem directly, one and done.

[AlUpstateNY]

As I understand it, the origin of this stems not from the fact that there was a loophole in state law that specifically said for someone to be ejected for the venue/facility, they had to be given a warning first. It became an issue when a fan was tossed, without the 'proper' warning, and promptly sued the school district.

This gives officials the tool to bypass what could be lazy/ineffective game administrators and deal with the problem directly, one and done.

Officials presently have "authority" to eliminate. "lazy ineffective game administration" in REALLY SERIOUS off-field situations that contradict with their responsibility to protect the "SAFETY" of the authorized platers, coaches, staff, on the Field....STOP THE GAME, UNTIL FIELD MANAGEMENT ELIMINATES THE "THREAT".  (Up to & including terminating/Rescheduling the contest.

Game Officials responsibilities are restricted/focused EXCLUSIVELY to ONFIELD (areas) to avoid threats to/from Team (players & Staff) and are NOT APPROPRIATE to deal with/counter the "Imagination" of spectators.

Involving Game Officials in matters BEYOND the Field, area of Play, only invites/encourages those "seeking inappropriate personal attention" to exaggerate their unacceptable behavior & dilute focus & primary Game Officials responsibility.

[dammitbobby]

You're not wrong, in a perfect officiating world. But in Texas, if I were to threaten to stop a game/match because of a fan (prior to this law) I would most likely be scratched from working any games there in the future.

Is that right? No.

Should officials care about that? Of course not... but they do, because it can impact playoff assignments.

Me personally? I don't care. If it got to that point, I probably don't want to work that school anymore anyways, and tbh if the fans are like that, the players are like that, meaning they're undisciplined and unlikely to win, or if they do, to go far in the playoffs.

It is what it is. We live in an imperfect world.  This law was a necessary change, and I don't know a single official who doesn't support it.

[AlUpstateNY]

You're not wrong, in a perfect officiating world. But in Texas, if I were to threaten to stop a game/match because of a fan (prior to this law) I would most likely be scratched from working any games there in the future.

Is that right? No.

Should officials care about that? Of course not... but they do, because it can impact playoff assignments.

Me personally? I don't care. If it got to that point, I probably don't want to work that school anymore anyways, and tbh if the fans are like that, the players are like that, meaning they're undisciplined and unlikely to win, or if they do, to go far in the playoffs.

It is what it is. We live in an imperfect world.  This law was a necessary change, and I don't know a single official who doesn't support it.

[AlUpstateNY]

I have no argument with the intent of Texas SB2929, but strongly suggest applying enforcement of this law to ""Game Officials" (presuming that designation refers to "On-field" Officials) is Ludacris.  I have absolutely no idea how "on-field" Officials would deal with such egregious spectator behavior, beyond enlisting the support of Venue personnel and/or  when deemed necessary local Police assistance, beyond, in EXTREME situations, interrupting Game activity until safety and/or decorum is restored.

Direct action/contact with such irrational spectators is far beyond the corrective responsibilities of "On-field (Game) Officials and should be addressed by Venue (including where deemed necessary) Police) assistance.

[refjeff]

I've been in three games where we stopped play, sent the teams to the numbers, and told game management that the game would resume when that person was removed.

No problems.

[NVFOA_Ump]

I've been in three games where we stopped play, sent the teams to the numbers, and told game management that the game would resume when that person was removed.

No problems.

I believe that this is your answer Al.  Simple but IMHO very effective.

[dammitbobby]

I believe that this is your answer Al.  Simple but IMHO very effective.

This.  The issue prior to this legislation was that the game administration couldn't remove the person without first giving them a warning... now it is zero strikes given.

[peterparsons]

I've been in three games where we stopped play, sent the teams to the numbers, and told game management that the game would resume when that person was removed.

No problems.

I did something similar in a U19 game earlier this year in the UK. Game management removed the individual without question and we got on with playing.

[AlUpstateNY]

I believe that this is your answer Al.  Simple but IMHO very effective.

I have no problem, or hesitation, in a REALLY EGREGIOUS situation, to request/REQUIRE Home Management (if & when necessary Police) to deal with a SERIOUS spectator issue.  Field (game) officials purpose is to focus on & regulate GAME (and FIELD personnel) "Rule Compliance". Dividing (adding) their focus to involving spectator and/or "off field" activities (unless they pose a direct THREAT to Team/Field personnel ) is an unnecessary distraction and may also provide UNNECESSARY MOTIVATION  to unbalanced spectators to INCREASE unhinged behavior, by attracting attention of Officiating personnel.

Venue management, and where necessary local Police authorities, are FULLY capable of enforcing competent control measures WITHOUT INVOLVING GAME OFFICIATING PERSONNEL. In a RARE circumstance, where spectator misbehavior might threaten EITHER the conduct of the game, or field personnel, a request by Game Officials, to eliminate such threat to Venue Management (and/or) Police assistance (by whatever means THEY decided necessary), up to removal  &/or arrest seems a far more effective & pragmatic path.