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Fan Banned after Confronting Umpire.

MarsOmega

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MarsOmega

MarsOmega

Posted
Posted

Hello all,

I have a question that I need answered from more experienced umpires on how to proceed. For refrence, I am a 18 year old umpire with 2 years of youth umpire experience and this is my first year working with an association on higher level ball.

About two weeks ago, I ejected a parent in a 10u game for using extremely innapropriate language directed at myself. He ended up waiting for me in the parking lot and aggressively approcached me as well as threatened me. You can read the full story in the ejection forum. I ended up making a police report. The league has banned the fan from all of their leagues property. 

My question is what the proper response would be if this fan shows up to another of these games. I have no idea how to respond.

Any ideas would be helpful.

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834k3r
834k3r

And the way he acted in the parking lot would make me paranoid, too. It's completely understandable. Relay your concerns to the league, and carry your phone in your ball bag.

834k3r
834k3r

If it were me, I would ask the league board how they'd like me to enforce it since it's their ban. If didn't get a response from the board and he showed up at a game, I'd call the police.

ArchAngel72
ArchAngel72

Well if he personally threatened you you could start the nuclear option.  File a restraining order on him.  Then he gets nailed for trespass and breaking a restraining order.

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834k3r

834k3r

Posted
Posted
7 minutes ago, MarsOmega said:

Hello all,

I have a question that I need answered from more experienced umpires on how to proceed. For refrence, I am a 18 year old umpire with 2 years of youth umpire experience and this is my first year working with an association on higher level ball.

About two weeks ago, I ejected a parent in a 10u game for using extremely innapropriate language directed at myself. He ended up waiting for me in the parking lot and aggressively approcached me as well as threatened me. You can read the full story in the ejection forum. I ended up making a police report. The league has banned the fan from all of their leagues property. 

My question is what the proper response would be if this fan shows up to another of these games. I have no idea how to respond.

Any ideas would be helpful.

If it were me, I would ask the league board how they'd like me to enforce it since it's their ban. If didn't get a response from the board and he showed up at a game, I'd call the police.

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ArchAngel72

ArchAngel72

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Posted

Contact that leagues president and UIC and have them understand if Person XYZ shows up you will stop the game and expect either the coach to deal with the person or another league official and or the police will be called for that person trespassing.   1 time let the league deal with it 2nd time you immediately call the popo.

 

 

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MarsOmega

MarsOmega

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The issue I have is that this man has already demonstrated that he won't act correctly after being asked to leave. He chased me down to my car after the game and threatened me. My problem is that if the coach "deals" with the fan, I have no assurance that he won't be waiting for me in the parking lot or even assult me after he was asked to leave.

IDK maybe I'm just super paranoid. I do have anxiety after all.

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ArchAngel72

ArchAngel72

Posted
Posted

Well if he personally threatened you you could start the nuclear option.  File a restraining order on him.  Then he gets nailed for trespass and breaking a restraining order.

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834k3r

834k3r

Posted
Posted
5 minutes ago, MarsOmega said:

The issue I have is that this man has already demonstrated that he won't act correctly after being asked to leave. He chased me down to my car after the game and threatened me. My problem is that if the coach "deals" with the fan, I have no assurance that he won't be waiting for me in the parking lot or even assult me after he was asked to leave.

IDK maybe I'm just super paranoid. I do have anxiety after all.

And the way he acted in the parking lot would make me paranoid, too. It's completely understandable. Relay your concerns to the league, and carry your phone in your ball bag.

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The Man in Blue

The Man in Blue

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Posted

@MarsOmega, that isn't being paranoid, that is being practical.

As has been said, you need to speak with the league and find out how THEY are going to handle this situation.  This is not your situation to handle.  THEY should have already contacted the police (I still believe you should have also) and made them aware of the situation.

Expecting YOU to call the police is NOT an acceptable answer.  THEY should have a site administrator on site to handle it.  At the most, you should be expected to notify the coaches if you see this fan and let them call the police.  If you need to stop the game to do this, let them know you will stop the game.  YOU should have no involvement in his removal, that was an appropriate League decision that the League needs to handle.

 

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BigBlue4u

BigBlue4u

Posted
Posted

Mars Omega

Hang in there.  The above posts offer excellent advice.  The biggest point is, do all you can to NOT personally deal with this individual.  And, don't be afraid to call the police, when necessary.  It's an absolute shame we are at this point when it comes to out of control parents.

 

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Mudisfun

Mudisfun

Posted
Posted
51 minutes ago, JonnyCat said:

I'm personally a fan of a CCW permit. I think everyone that could qualify should have one.

... and in the news today an armed umpire at a LL game blah, blah, blah. The problem there is the firearm would most likely be in the car and not where he would need it when this jackass accosts him.

The league has banned him. If you see or hear him, tell the league to remove him, call the police or you call the police. You can easily state that you are a sports official and that a parent who threatened you with bodily harm and who was banned from the league has returned and that you are in fear for your safety and need an office to respond. 

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JonnyCat

JonnyCat

Posted
Posted
14 minutes ago, Mudisfun said:

The problem there is the firearm would most likely be in the car and not where he would need it when this jackass accosts him.

What are you talking about? I carry an ankle holster on the field. It is protected by my shin guards! Never leave home without it! :lol:

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beerguy55

beerguy55

Posted
Posted

Well, there are lots of bats around.   Sorry...in all seriousness...

This isn't paranoia.  He's already presented himself as a threat.  It got him banned.  If he ignores the ban he IS a threat.

As stated, if the idiot shows up you may need to call the cops - you need to make a very quick assessment to whether or not there's someone who can/will remove him.  As stated, the league should have something in place to enforce bans, including sending pictures of the guy to all admins/officials for the league and the location.  If he's maniac/idiot enough to show his face, or make any move, I'm not sure I'm comfortable making other people there my shield.  But you do what you got to do - if coaches or facility admins or other officials are nearby you need to very quickly explain your situation.  "He's been banned, get him out of here".

Scenario one is he's just being a douchebag and making a point to ignore authority - he's no intent to harm you, so this gives you time to get an appropriate person to get rid of him, and/or call the police.

Scenario two is he's there to start something...you may have a protector, you may not.  You may have time to do something, you may not.

If it gets that far it's fight or flight. (or lie down and take it)  If he gets too close for comfort.  No shame in running, avoidance...get into your car, leave, lock yourself in the bathroom...etc, etc.   If flight isn't feasible, you're better off protecting yourself in front of witnesses...and don't hold back.  Your mask is in your hand - beat the SH*# out of him with it and don't stop until there's no more threat.  If he gets within ten feet of you it's not to give you a lecture.

 

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Mudisfun

Mudisfun

Posted
Posted
18 hours ago, JonnyCat said:

What are you talking about? I carry an ankle holster on the field. It is protected by my shin guards! Never leave home without it! :lol:

I was wondering why you were dragging your right leg on ESPN last year!

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MarsOmega

MarsOmega

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Posted

Update:

After talking with the league president, the solution is that in the event this fan shows up again, I am to notify a coach who will call the president. The president will then call the police. One of the coaches will be required to walk me to my car to ensure my safety.

Thanks for the recommendations and ideas to present to the league.

 

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HokieUmp

HokieUmp

Posted
Posted
On 6/12/2023 at 12:12 PM, MarsOmega said:

My question is what the proper response would be if this fan shows up to another of these games. I have no idea how to respond.

Any ideas would be helpful.

Call 911 if you have your phone on you;  ask a fan/coach if you don't.  Do not hesitate or second-guess or worry one iota about what that might do to his record (I mean, you *can*, because it shows you're an empathetic person - just don't let it keep you from the task at hand).

F*#K that guy.  Let the police deal with him.  He's trespassing, for one, if he has a ban in place.  For two, the percentage of lunatics amongst us is higher than ever.

Repeat:  F*#K that guy.

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HokieUmp

HokieUmp

Posted
Posted
22 hours ago, JonnyCat said:

What are you talking about? I carry an ankle holster on the field. It is protected by my shin guards! Never leave home without it! :lol:

giphy.gif

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Mad Mike

Mad Mike

Posted
Posted

A little different approach was taken by a local football league in our area. They implemented a policy that if a parent or guardian of the kid gets 86'd from a game, then the kid attached to the adult gets banned too. They didn't do this lightly. It was after several years of having repeat problems with the "adults" they had to make the decision to cut their losses and remove the reason for the "adult" coming to the games in the first place. 

It is sad to see the kid get affected by the adult in this scenario. However, they had the adults and kids sign an agreement before the season started. The rule was very clear to everybody involved. One parent stepped over the line and he was booted out, along with his kid. They did agree to refund any fees if they had to kick a kid and parent(s)/guardian(s) out. 

It has worked out pretty well. Last year, for the first time in a while they had fewer problems to deal with. It seems to have placed the adults on notice they better stand up for their kid in the correct way-which means cheering them on and not getting over the top with poor behavior.

This seems to be an approach other leagues should consider trying. If the kid ain't on the diamond, then maybe the asshat won't be around causing problems for everybody.

 

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The Man in Blue

The Man in Blue

Posted
Posted
On 6/12/2023 at 4:32 PM, JonnyCat said:

What are you talking about? I carry an ankle holster on the field. It is protected by my shin guards! Never leave home without it! :lol:

To be fair, he never said he had anything in the holster.  Maybe it was a flask.

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BrainFreeze

BrainFreeze

Posted
Posted
On 6/12/2023 at 11:12 AM, MarsOmega said:

I ended up making a police report.

Did the police take any actions? 

You did the right thing by asking the league, "What am I supposed to do?"  I think the league's response was inadequate. 

Keep in mind -- the league's response is going to be what's in the best interest of the league.  That may or may not mesh with what's in *your* best interest. 

Others in this thread have said call the police immediately.  I agree with them. 

Your first and only obligation is to keep yourself safe.  Calling the league won't do that.  Call 911 first, call league officials second.

Since there's already a police report, if the guy shows up again you could probably get a restraining order against him.  The league has "banned" him, but a restraining order adds legal teeth to the ban. 

 

Good luck!!  

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834k3r

834k3r

Posted
Posted
20 hours ago, MarsOmega said:

Update:

After talking with the league president, the solution is that in the event this fan shows up again, I am to notify a coach who will call the president. The president will then call the police. One of the coaches will be required to walk me to my car to ensure my safety.

Thanks for the recommendations and ideas to present to the league.

 

I bet you the pay from my next LL game the league doesn't tell the coaches about any of this; if they do, it will be for the first few games, then it'll be forgotten. I recommend carrying your phone in your ball bag (I have an iPhone 12 with a case and it fits perfectly behind my lineup card holder in the UmpLife ball bags) because you may probably will have to call the police on your own.

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Aging_Arbiter

Aging_Arbiter

Posted
Posted
On 6/12/2023 at 4:22 PM, JonnyCat said:

I'm personally a fan of a CCW permit. I think everyone that could qualify should have one.

I may or may not have a "daddy be cool" stick in my truck.........

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