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re: Referee Harassment Bill
Posted on 6/4/19 at 1:13 pm to Gris Gris
Posted on 6/4/19 at 1:13 pm to Gris Gris
quote:True. Also why, for example, with high school football games, they arrive together in a vehicle that is often parked very close to the playing field so they can leave quickly.
Refs have to be escorted to their cars by law enforcement sometimes.
Posted on 6/4/19 at 1:15 pm to Geauxtiga
isn't already against the law to physically attack someone?
Posted on 6/4/19 at 1:19 pm to tgrbaitn08
quote:It is. I think there are stiffer laws when it involves a teacher. I understand we are not talking about teachers here. Someone can help me out.
isn't already against the law to physically attack someone?
I suppose this is like a speeding ticket vs a speeding ticket in a school zone.
Posted on 6/4/19 at 1:26 pm to Teufelhunden
In Alabama it's a Class B Misdemeanor to harass a game official. Assault of an official is a Class B Felony.
AL Code § 13A-11-144 (2013)
Section 13A-11-144
Harassment, etc., of sports official.
(a) For purposes of this section, a "sports official" is a person at a sports event who enforces the rules of the event, such as an umpire or referee, or a person who supervises the participants, such as a coach. A "sports event" includes any interscholastic or intramural athletic activity in a primary, middle, junior high, or high school, college, or university, any organized athletic activity sponsored by a community, business, or nonprofit organization, any athletic activity that is a professional or semiprofessional event, and any other organized athletic activity in the state.
(b) A person commits the crime of harassment of a sports official if he or she commits the crime of harassment as provided for by Section 13A-11-8, and the victim is a sports official performing official duties and the harassment is a result of the official performing his or her official duties. Harassment of a sports official is a Class B misdemeanor.
(c) A person commits the crime of menacing a sports official if he or she commits the crime of menacing as provided for by Section 13A-6-23, and the victim is a sports official performing official duties and the menacing is a result of the official performing his or her official duties. Menacing a sports official is a Class A misdemeanor.
(d) A person commits the crime of assault of a sports official in the third degree if he or she commits the crime of assault in the third degree as provided for by Section 13A-6-22, and the victim is a sports official performing official duties and the assault is a result of the official performing his or her official duties. Assault of a sports official in the third degree is a Class C felony.
(e) A person commits the crime of assault of a sports official in the second degree if he or she commits the crime of assault in the second degree as provided for by Section 13A-6-21, and the victim is a sports official performing official duties and the assault is a result of the official performing his or her official duties. Assault of a sports official in the second degree is a Class B felony.
(f) A person commits the crime of assault of a sports official in the first degree if he or she commits the crime of assault in the first degree as provided for by Section 13A-6-20, and the victim is a sports official performing official duties and the assault is a result of the official performing his or her official duties. Assault of a sports official in the first degree is a Class A felony.
(Act 2001-1099, 4th Sp. Sess., p. 1158, §§ 1, 2.)
AL Code § 13A-11-144 (2013)
Section 13A-11-144
Harassment, etc., of sports official.
(a) For purposes of this section, a "sports official" is a person at a sports event who enforces the rules of the event, such as an umpire or referee, or a person who supervises the participants, such as a coach. A "sports event" includes any interscholastic or intramural athletic activity in a primary, middle, junior high, or high school, college, or university, any organized athletic activity sponsored by a community, business, or nonprofit organization, any athletic activity that is a professional or semiprofessional event, and any other organized athletic activity in the state.
(b) A person commits the crime of harassment of a sports official if he or she commits the crime of harassment as provided for by Section 13A-11-8, and the victim is a sports official performing official duties and the harassment is a result of the official performing his or her official duties. Harassment of a sports official is a Class B misdemeanor.
(c) A person commits the crime of menacing a sports official if he or she commits the crime of menacing as provided for by Section 13A-6-23, and the victim is a sports official performing official duties and the menacing is a result of the official performing his or her official duties. Menacing a sports official is a Class A misdemeanor.
(d) A person commits the crime of assault of a sports official in the third degree if he or she commits the crime of assault in the third degree as provided for by Section 13A-6-22, and the victim is a sports official performing official duties and the assault is a result of the official performing his or her official duties. Assault of a sports official in the third degree is a Class C felony.
(e) A person commits the crime of assault of a sports official in the second degree if he or she commits the crime of assault in the second degree as provided for by Section 13A-6-21, and the victim is a sports official performing official duties and the assault is a result of the official performing his or her official duties. Assault of a sports official in the second degree is a Class B felony.
(f) A person commits the crime of assault of a sports official in the first degree if he or she commits the crime of assault in the first degree as provided for by Section 13A-6-20, and the victim is a sports official performing official duties and the assault is a result of the official performing his or her official duties. Assault of a sports official in the first degree is a Class A felony.
(Act 2001-1099, 4th Sp. Sess., p. 1158, §§ 1, 2.)
Posted on 6/4/19 at 1:44 pm to Teufelhunden
What about if the Wossman timekeeper intentionally sabotages the game clock because Wossman is behind in the game and he knows that the time must be kept on the field by an Wossman loving official. The on that official will then let the game play until wossman comes from behind, even if it means the game goes past the 60 minutes of playtime.
Can the officials be harassed then if the gametime was 64 minutes instead of 60 minutes like all games should have been.
I believe the Cheating Wossman officials should actually be praised because that was genius to sabatoge the play and game clock when Wossman was losing late in the game.
Can the officials be harassed then if the gametime was 64 minutes instead of 60 minutes like all games should have been.
I believe the Cheating Wossman officials should actually be praised because that was genius to sabatoge the play and game clock when Wossman was losing late in the game.
Posted on 6/4/19 at 1:48 pm to NASA_ISS_Tiger
A friend is an ump for little league in the area. His son, 17, is doing it as well. The son was umping a game (field ump) for 9 year olds and threw out a parent for cussing out the home plate ump over ball and strike calls. The parent sat in the parking lot and followed this kid to his car after the game. Continued to cuss the kid out and pushed him. Had other parents not pulled this $%^&*() off of him who knows what would have happened.
It all boils down to parents seeing their little kids as future major league contracts and not just enjoying the game.
It all boils down to parents seeing their little kids as future major league contracts and not just enjoying the game.
Posted on 6/4/19 at 2:05 pm to drhuggybear
My dad and I both called HS football for years. Dad only called LHSAA and I called both LHSAA and AHSAA. I never had any events happen but I know of multiple events that occurred. My Dad was at Merryville HS back in the 90s when there was a questionable call made (I don't know the call or the situation)..and a man standing on the fence didn't like it...so he loudly proclaimed "I"m going to my car and get my gun". The white hat heard this and pulled all officials to the center of the field and suspended the game until game management (principals) and law enforcement could remove this man from the school property.
To those people who say it never happens...put the stripes on...and see from that side of the fence. It happens.
During the games I've been a clock operator and had to come down from the press box without an escort I've heard some bold statements...but I learned long ago...don't give them the privilege of acknowledging they're a human being...keep walking.
To those people who say it never happens...put the stripes on...and see from that side of the fence. It happens.
During the games I've been a clock operator and had to come down from the press box without an escort I've heard some bold statements...but I learned long ago...don't give them the privilege of acknowledging they're a human being...keep walking.
Posted on 6/4/19 at 2:08 pm to Teufelhunden
On some talks sport show a few months ago (I think Dan Patrick), there was someone on there who represented NBA refs. He pretty much said that the refs in the NBA, NFL, CFB & CBB are making less mistakes than ever before.
The training has improved and of course being able to review plays helps with the percentage of calls they are able to make the right call on, however; hostility towards officials have increased, but not necessarily at the games. It's of course on social media.
You hear people complain about refs all the time, but how many times have you ever heard of a ref being harmed?
The state has more important shite they need to worry about.
The training has improved and of course being able to review plays helps with the percentage of calls they are able to make the right call on, however; hostility towards officials have increased, but not necessarily at the games. It's of course on social media.
You hear people complain about refs all the time, but how many times have you ever heard of a ref being harmed?
The state has more important shite they need to worry about.
Posted on 6/4/19 at 2:11 pm to NASA_ISS_Tiger
I think this law should be posted at all youth events, quite honestly. I don't know how much that will help, but it stops one ignorant human, it would be worth it.
Posted on 6/4/19 at 2:14 pm to Teufelhunden
It's less of a problem at the HS level, more of an issue at lower ages - Most high schools programs deal pretty harshly with parents that act crazy.
the real problem will come when nobody wants to officiate at certain venues.
The sad thing is when people are going nuts over a call and they don't even have the rule right.
the real problem will come when nobody wants to officiate at certain venues.
The sad thing is when people are going nuts over a call and they don't even have the rule right.
Posted on 6/4/19 at 2:16 pm to OweO
quote:high school in LA in the past year - 6... 4 were basketball.
how many times have you ever heard of a ref being harmed?
youth sports - god only knows.
Posted on 6/4/19 at 2:18 pm to Teufelhunden
quote:
create the new crime of harassment of a school or recreation athletic contest official, authorizing penalties if the referee feels in “fear of receiving bodily harm” while officiating.
I am pretty sure the assault statue already handles this situation. All they had to do was add an enhanced penalty for referees. No need for a new law.
Posted on 6/4/19 at 2:24 pm to choupiquesushi
I think this law was borne out of frustration. It's insane how a growing number of parents act at youth sports games. It's embarrassing to themselves and their children. I've had to pull parents off of trying to go after officials as they leave the field to go home. I've had to escort officials to their cars. I've had to pull them into the concession stand until people leave.
It's frustrating for the game officials, for league/tournament officials, and for other parents.
I do think this law, as written, is going to be hard to enforce. Are people really going to call the police out? Are the police really going to write a ticket / arrest? And what happens when the DA - who's a travel ball dad himself - just refuses the charges?
It's frustrating for the game officials, for league/tournament officials, and for other parents.
I do think this law, as written, is going to be hard to enforce. Are people really going to call the police out? Are the police really going to write a ticket / arrest? And what happens when the DA - who's a travel ball dad himself - just refuses the charges?
Posted on 6/4/19 at 2:26 pm to tgrbaitn08
quote:
I've actually never seen anyone physically threaten an official or umpire
As someone in the coaching community for a quarter century, I have seen some parents cross the line. In short, parents, seeming to live vicariously through their children, can display behaviors that are totally out of character with their daily demeanor. There is a shortage of referees and officials natiowide. The behavior of the parents...and their children, are a major reason why imho. Should there have been legislation...I don't know. However, the issue of incredibly poor behavior does exist in my experience.
Posted on 6/4/19 at 2:27 pm to Teufelhunden
As a referee who has been harassed in the line of duty I support this bill 100%
Posted on 6/4/19 at 2:30 pm to jimmy the leg
quote:
As someone in the coaching community for a quarter century, I have seen some parents cross the line. In short, parents, seeming to live vicariously through their children, can display behaviors that are totally out of character with their daily demeanor. There is a shortage of referees and officials natiowide. The behavior of the parents...and their children, are a major reason why imho. Should there have been legislation...I don't know. However, the issue of incredibly poor behavior does exist in my experience.
I've seen coaches physically go after other coaches and I've seen coaches physically go after fans....but I've honestly never seen anyone physically go after an umpire or official...Im not saying it doesnt happen, but we already have laws in place for that.
I just thing La Legislatures should have wasted any time on this "new law"
Posted on 6/4/19 at 2:44 pm to el Gaucho
quote:
As a referee who has been harassed in the line of duty I support this bill 100%
I'm also an official, and I've personally been threatened. The assault laws would cover this, yes, but this is a much bigger problem than most realize and they are trying to get the issue under control. Maybe they are over-reaching, but probably not. Most states already have this law.
Here's the biggest problem here. Does everyone want sports to exist in 20 years? Unfortunately, they may not, at least in the way we know them today. We are facing a historic shortage of officials in youth and high school sports. Within 5-10 years, games will have to be cancelled or rescheduled for other nights to simply have officials to cover them (actually, it's already happening now). Is everyone in favor of having high school football games 7 nights a week to spread them out in order to have officials to work the games?
You might think I'm exaggerating or speaking in hyperbole, but these are hypothetical situations that could happen. Older officials are retiring and the younger generation doesn't want to do it. Why? Low pay and a lot of hostility.
Honestly, if you want sports to continue the way they are today, be kind and respectful to all officials and encourage young people to officiate.
Everyone is going to downvote me and say I'm crazy, and that's fine. Don't complain when you don't have anyone willing to officiate your kids' sporting events.
This post was edited on 6/4/19 at 3:05 pm
Posted on 6/4/19 at 2:46 pm to Geauxtiga
quote:
I can’t think of a reason off hand, that warrants threatening an official.
The bill doesn't say that one must threaten an official to be in violation. It says the official, "feels threatened".
So it is solely a subjective decision of the official.
Again, dangerous precedent. Who does this "special class treatment" go to next? Some privileged political group. maybe?
This post was edited on 6/4/19 at 2:51 pm
Posted on 6/4/19 at 2:48 pm to Buckeye Jeaux
quote:
The bill doesn't say that one must threaten an official to be in violation. It says the official, "feels threatened".
So it is solely a subjective decision of the official.
Again, dangerous precedent.
Exactly....so if a fan or coach tells the ump that he's garbage..the ump can throw that person out of the park, call the cops and say he felt threatened.
Posted on 6/4/19 at 2:49 pm to GOON
[/quote]Everyone is going to downvote me and say I'm crazy, and that's fine. Don't complain when you don't have anyone willing to officiate your kids sporting events.
Have an upvote...
Have an upvote...
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