sporting event referees...any real power?

[michaelnotar]

WEST BURLINGTON, Iowa – An umpire has emptied the stands at a high school baseball game, ejecting the entire crowd of more than 100 fans for being unruly.
Umpire Don Briggs said he had no problem with any of the student athletes during Thursday's game between Winfield-Mount Union and West Burlington.
He said he had to take action because fans were being unruly, yelling and arguing.
However, West Burlington Superintendent James Sleister said he didn't see any unusual behavior and said he thought the umpire overreacted.
The game resumed after a 40-minute delay. West Burlington won 12-11.
The umpire called police as a precaution. West Burlington police officer Al Waterman says there were no arrests. He says he saw no unruliness himself.

___

i am curious to know what authority any umpire/referee has over anyone... sure with respect to the sport, you respect them...but for a home game, you have officials and another team coming to your/our school. and personally i would tell them to take a flying leap if they told me to leave.

[Noel_Carboni]

I once saw a referee hold up a community youth football game until a particularly bad-mouthed dad left the area. This dad was, specifically, cursing at the officials in a game of 11 year olds. He looked to me like he may have been taking steroids; he was borderline irrational.

Generally speaking as game officials they're responsible for the safety of all present, and while they may not be able to compel you to leave directly, if they hold up the game indefinitely while you're still there, which is well within their power, then you have few choices. That will turn the rest of the crowd against you.

Now, ejecting all the spectators... That's pushing things a bit.

-Noel

[Dennis_Vied]

They need one of those at European soccer matches.

[DougAxford]

I used to be a 'carded' ump in softball years ago. Yes, the ump does have that power, it's either agree with the call or forfeit the game. Until you've walked in their shoes ..... and I've had my share of disagreements with other umps. It's what they see that counts.

BTW, they also have the power to toss photographers out. In most cases (we've gone down this road before) the league rents the park and it is considered private property while they are renting it, even though it may be a public park. At least, that's the law in many areas.