Breaking up fights

[ousafe]

Do you guys break up fights, or stand back like hockey refs and let them duke it out?

[Edit: this relates to 40+ mens rec league baseball.]

Had a brewing fight last night that I successfully diffused, but I'm wondering if I should have interceded at all. Both guys were significantly larger than me...

[SH0102]

Take out your notepad and start writing down the numbers of everyone involved in the fight for ejection and report purposes.

You can try to diffuse or get in between when “it’s brewing” but once a fight actually begins, get the hell out of their way 

[Aging_Arbiter]

As much as I used to enjoy a good slobber knocker, in todays litigious society, stay out of it.  Especially HS age and below (if it should occur). 

[ArchAngel72]

Yup record and hand out ejections afterwards.  Never step in  unless someone is about to "kill or maim" someone, then do so only to save someone from being killed or seriously hurt, and do So only as a regular human being and not an umpire.

But  that last part is me.. 

Other than that don't step in.

I have never seen a fight on my field or anyone else's for that matter. I hope to pass thru this life never having that occur. 

[noumpere]

Stop a fight from happening? -- Sure

Break up a fight that's already happening? -- NFW.

[LRZ]

33 minutes ago, ArchAngel72 said:

So only as a regular human being and not an umpire.

I sympathize with this sentiment, but I'm not sure how you would distinguish your roles, in the confusion and heat of the moment. There are a dozen or two other folks--team members--who could prevent further mayhem.

 

57 minutes ago, Aging_Arbiter said:

in todays litigious society, stay out of it.  Especially HS age and below (if it should occur). 

At younger ages, it is easier to step in, IMO, plus you might have help from coaches. HS and above, I'd stay out.

[aaluck]

4 hours ago, SH0102 said:

Take out your notepad and start writing down the numbers of everyone involved in the fight for ejection and report purposes.

You can try to diffuse or get in between when “it’s brewing” but once a fight actually begins, get the hell out of their way 

This is what I do.

Nothing better than watching a bunch of 40-year-olds fighting at a baseball game. WTH

[urout17]

2 hours ago, LRZ said:

I sympathize with this sentiment, but I'm not sure how you would distinguish your roles, in the confusion and heat of the moment. There are a dozen or two other folks--team members--who could prevent further mayhem.

 

At younger ages, it is easier to step in, IMO, plus you might have help from coaches. HS and above, I'd stay out.

Help from the coaches at younger ages??  They're the ones that probably started the fight. 

[SeeingEyeDog]

In order to be a sports official who breaks up fights, you must be wearing ice skates...

~Dawg 

[LRZ]

Good point, urout17. I should clarify: with younger ages, if coaches are fighting, I'm definitely not stepping in. 

[LRZ]

Better yet: "with younger ages, if adults are fighting, I'm definitely not stepping in." Let's not forget parents! And they don't always stay on the other side of the fence!

[SH0102]

Another thing not mentioned…just about everything in life now is on video, and once something controversial starts, first thing half the people will do is start recording.

I wouldn’t want to be on video anywhere near the fight. You grab someone trying to prevent a fight and all of a sudden you’re a scapegoat, or god forbid the guy you held back gets slugged while unable to defend himself, now you’re liable

[DanielJefferson]

It depends on the situation - if it looks like it is going to escalate and become violent, then it is best to intervene. I've even bought the best boxing gloves and practice once in a while to feel confident. However, if it is just some friendly trash talk and it looks like it will be resolved peacefully, then it may be better to let them work it out.

[Velho]

Either way, put your mask back on. 😉

[Simply The Best]

On 7/6/2021 at 3:35 AM, ousafe said:

Do you guys break up fights, or stand back like hockey refs and let them duke it out?

The latter. The game is over and I'm off the field asap as soon as I call it.