Should booing in HS sports be banned?

They should also ban the use of scoreboards.

Seriously though, I agree 100% that booing should be banned....... as soon as they quit charging admission.

Albeit,...it's not polite,...and it definately can be found defined under the word " bad- sportsmanship ",...but the last time I checked we still live in a free country with freedom of speech. Egads!

Pallllllllllease tell me the the state of Washington legislators are not being THAT power control hungy. Please tell me that they have a life and are putting their efforts towards REAL important causes.

I'll admit, I have been called the Miss Manners Prude a few times,...but even I think this is going too far!!!



I need a drink of.....water!
I repeat,..EGADS!!!!!

JT ...

Getting too much like Cali ... soon all the states will be 'nanny states', telling us when and where and how often we can do things, if we are allowed to do them at all. I don't like negative input from the fans (= polite way of saying booing and heckling) at all but I can't imagine that our society should go so far as to ban booing ... what ever happened to freedom of speech (or as they call it now, freedom of expression)? Or is that only relevent when the person doing the expressing expresses the same thoughts and opinions as the person/people doing the judging and censoring?

I also think players need to learn to deal with it ... again, I absolutely detest some of the things that are said and yelled at a sporting event, but somehow, somewhere, these kids have to learn to let it roll off their backs. It definitely pains a parent to hear their son being booed, but that player just needs to go out there and get his job done and stop the booing himself with his bat or glove or pitch ... well, not so far as to HIT anybody with the bat or ball but I am sure you know I didn't mean that, right?

if they banned bad calls, there'd be no reason to ban booing

It's the American Way:

Cheering for winners; and, booing the losers....Then you both go out for a coke and hotdog!

Where are we headed in this country with sports?


If there is no booing there will be no attendance

Now, let's expand this...
...the emphasis here in the early responses are focusing on the UMPIRES...but what about booing or holler at HS players?
(I almost typed college, too, but that would meet with a hail of unmentionable posts from the Clemson faithful )

IMHO,..HS players can take it!

They are indeed after all baseball players, not badminton boys!

Tit for tat. Let's boo ban the State of Washington.

All of our fine members from the Evergreen State should get on the phone and let their elected nannies have it!

<<<OLYMPIA..........COMMON SENSE>>>



"Oly, Oly nit wits go!"

.
Gigantic non-issue...

I know games where booing is about the most congenial thing that comes out of the stands...

Makes an argument for moving the family to Washington where sports are obviously still quite civil...

44
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as far as booing hs players, in the many games I've atteneded I can't recall that even happening ..

the exception might be a poor sportmanship situation where a runner barrels the catcher or the batter stands in the box watching his dinger clear the fence then flipping his bat ala Jeff Kent. In those cases I think the players actually wants the negative vibes & thrives off them

as for heckling a player, most at the hs level is just kids being kids

jmo

If that's the case my good friend 44...why go through the effort to legislate it absolutely?

I think that it is banned in NJ .... They expect good sportsman ship is a part of high school sports and the ump enforces it. Though I dont remember any booing in hs baseball.

Good sportsmanship equates to maturity.

Should fans boo? No, probably not. But it's part of the game. What's the point of coming out to a sporting event if you can't express your opinion while watching it? That ruins the fun of it.

Speaking from the perspective of a kid who goes to a school with a local powerhouse and nationally recognized basketball program that gets sometimes 5,000 people at those games, booing is prevalent. Speaking as a baseball player and a HS varsity athlete, I say one should be able to handle the "pressure" of a few immature onlookers watching the game and booing.

Obviously the legislature in Washington needs more to do.

I have vague memories of hearing boos against umpires (bad calls) or coaches (acting out during an arguement about the bad call), but not at players. Is this somehow a Major Problem in Washington? Streets are safe, air is clean, services and education in tippy-top shape, all businesses operating in an ethical manner? Cool.

Is this just baseball or are football, basketball, track & swim meets also named?

Why booing? Heckling would be OK? How about whistles?

Rather reminds me of a story about my first husband. He called someone a 'fool' in front of his highly religious (OK, sanctimonious) grandmother. She quoted the scripture forbidding such use of the word. So he says, "so you're saying I can call him a #@?&*(% >?&*#@%&#@& because the words aren't in the Bible....but 'fool' isn't allowed?"

This is an area that just @##$@ me off. Both in sports and in the general society. We have a certain generation that is trying to make the rules benefit theirs...
I read some of the new rules in HS baseball , I have come to the conclusion High School baseball is the new Little league, at least in CA.
In my day, you played baseball. There wasn't a million excuses as to why someone was not playing. It wasn't the coaches fault. Some kids are just better. We came out and high fived the guy who just jacked the ball out of the park. There was no interference rule on home runs, how the heck could their be interference when the ball is on the other side of the fence. Oh wait thats rubbing it in, the other players might get a complex.
If there was booing in the stands, I never heard it on the field . I asked my kid and kids I've coached and most players don't hear it the majority of the time. The parents are the ones who hear... and don't worry parents little Jonny will be ok.. My words to the wimpy parents... DEAL WITH IT!

I can remember one game when my son was at Long Beach St. He was pitching against Fullerton. I sat behind home plate and let me say booing would have been a compliment from those fans. I am sure DB2Bmom can attest to those games. It is just part of the game and something all will have to deal with or they will have a very short career. Hopefully the wimpy generation will get out of the spotlight soon and quit @@##%$* things up, well enough said from here.

good luck to all

quote:

by lcl: I can remember one game when my son was at Long Beach St... pitching against Fullerton. I sat behind home plate and let me say booing would have been a compliment from those fans.

we had been talking hs ... but as long as ya brought it up -
last time WE played Fullerton at their place, a half dozen of their fan/dads cornered a Cal Dad who's son was playing for the rival (that would be 4/6 on one, depending on who was swinging & who was peeing their pants) & tried to beat the snot out of him ... it seemed common-place to many of their fans & security ... & didn't seem to particularly bother coach horton (the lower case reference is a gift)

they're pretty much trailer trash .. even by the lowest standards


ps - no offense intended to any trailer park folks

Well, I'm all for being polite and showing respect to others. I don't like booing or rude gestures towards any athletes and especially at the HS level....

BUT it's sports and people boo. Unfortunately they get even more obnoxious sometimes. Who is to define where that line is.... if a boo is soft it's acceptable.... post acceptable and non-acceptable jeers at the gate? Come on... those guys need to get a life and deal with some important life changing legislation don't ya think!!

In high school - my wife and I were happy if the fans didnt throw hard objects at him. LOL

Anything less than that was gravy.

.

Thanks Orlando...

...this is what I was trying to say...

quote:

Is this somehow a Major Problem in Washington?.

44
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All I can say is

I just noticed that there have been 5 votes that have said " yes " booing should be banned.

I'd like to hear their point of view, if anyone would care to share.

Wow, what a funny thread! Yes, as many of you know, I am a Washingtonian. I moved to the conservative East side of the state 20 years ago.. it's a different breed over here in the desert. (Hah! I betcha didn't know they have a desert in Washington!)

Born and raised in Seattle, when I visit my family it's like entering KooKoo Land. Nose rings, Vegetarian Zulu restaraunts, LezBeen Wedding Consultants, Starbucks in the Jimmy Hendrix Experience.. they don't call it Emerald City for nothing, Toto! And of course, my whole family save myself has been body-snatched by the nanny-staters who believe government should provide it all! (Rob Kremer, please chime in!) I fend them all off by professing my love of George Jones, low taxes, and non-bottled water. The only way I can regain my sense of normalcy is to escape to the local Indian casino.

(They know not culture.)

It's all okay, because last I heard we still have a First Ammendment right. Boo!

P.S., no offense to the LB wedding consultants. Dramatic effect only. Besides, here in Washington, someone has to wear the pants in the family.

WHAT ARE WE BABIES!? I mean seriously come on. That is just ridiculous. If a kid in highschool can't handle a boo or two then he or she probably shouldn't even be in highschool.

I think any team that loses a high school baseball game should be showered with rose petals after the game - and then be given an all expenses paid private session with Dr. Phil - so they can safely and effectively adjust to getting their asses beat.

LOL

How about this one It's, no matter what they lose by, change the final score to one less than the winning team..... that ought to work.

How about therapists in the dougouts during the games.

Glove - I love that one.

Like getting knocked out in a boxing match.

When you wake up - they give you the decision because you slept well and had a healthy REM sleep. LOL

I heard the gentleman on ESPN today. He wants to instill sportmanship in the fans. In other words, be our parent or guardian.

quote:

Originally posted by gotwood4sale:
Tit for tat. Let's boo ban the State of Washington.

All of our fine members from the Evergreen State should get on the phone and let their elected nannies have it!

<<<OLYMPIA..........COMMON SENSE>>>

As I recall, there seems to be things worse than booing going on in Washington. Maybe they are starting at the bottom of the list of aggregious behaviors with this prooposal.

Outlaw booing eh?

Maybe we should just outlaw negative experiences for our children. I mean, go all the way. Completely sanitize their lives. Outlaw anything that might upset them.

I didn't see the need for a no-booing law here because people seem decent enough not to boo high school players. Sure there are some occasional vollies with the umpires, but it is part of the game and life.

Just imagine for a moment if all of life's potential negative experiences were removed. Somehow we could wish them away, or worse, legislate them away. What type of life would that be? Would joy have any meaning without contrast?

Here is a song that is a favorite of mine and I have posted it before. It talks about what might be missed when we attempt to avoid things that are also part of living.

The Dance
by Tony Arata and Garth Brooks

quote:

Lookin' back,
On the memory of
The dance we shared,
(be)Neath the stars above
For a moment,
All the world was right
How could I have known,
That you'd ever say goodbye?

And now,
I'm glad I didn't know
The way It all would end
The way It all would go
Our lives,
Are better left to chance
I could have missed the pain,
But I'da had to miss the dance.

Holding you,
I held everything
For a moment,
Wasn't I a king?
But If I'd only known,
How the king would fall
Hey who's to say,
You know I might have changed it all

And now,
I'm glad I didn't know
The way It all would end
The way It all would go
Our lives,
Are better left to chance
I could have missed the pain,
But I'da had to miss the dance

It's my life,
It's better left to chance
I could have missed the pain
But I'da had to miss,
The dance

Outlaw booing eh?

I wasn't going to get involved in this discussion,
But since CD wants the EH's take on it,
I'll give my 2cents.
I'm a born and raised Washingtonian?
And we Washingtonian's think outside of the box.

At a HS are Summer game and some adult starts Booing and harrassing your player?
What are you going to do?
Let it go?
Confront the harrassier?
What if your player jumps the fence and beats the snout out of the harrassier?
Will you still Love him?
EH

Read this article about today's college youth.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17349066/

Basically it says that some college students are having a hard time because they aren't being told they're "special" anymore.

So remember, there are consequences to even building up and protecting children from the real world of competition.

Now that being said;

I think that harassing the opposing players (in high school) shouldn't be allowed but being involved as a fan is great. Heck I wouldn't do it to a pro. I like cheering for my team, not against theirs.

Sorry I just had to add;
When I lived in Georgia, I had a co-worker who had a 13 year-old daughter who played tennis. The league didn't allow any sounds from the crowd until the match was over, then basic hand clapping was all that was allow. Then there was a s****r league that banned all cheering until the end of the match.

Banning the BOOO's will have long reaching effects. What's a ghost supposed to say on halloween? Hello I'm Casper? What about crying? Is Booo Hooo banned too? What about the OHHHHH's and AHHHHHs? Will they be the next to be banned?

I would guess these lawmakers have some kids that really stink at sports and they've gotten their feelings hurt. I say BOOOO to the bums!
Fungo

I'm not sure if booing is banned in NJ But it is in our Twp. Coming from the Phila area we are famous for booing players.....well anyone really.
Its not a matter of protecting the feelings of the players,its because we live in an area that if you boo my kid I'll punch you in the face.(not referring to myself)The rule is to keep fans under control..
When my son was young, parents at a t-ball game went after each other with bats, another game moms were fist fighting on the diamond, a parent being air lifted to hospital in coma after a fight at a kids game.. police having to be called to break up fights.
Our Twp. passed a 3 strikes your out (your a spectator thrown out of 3 games your banned from any sporting event in the Twp.) You can cheer for your team but no negative remarks directed at the players,fans or officials or you could be told to leave.

quote:

Originally posted by theEH:
I'm a born and raised Washingtonian?

Really, EH. I would have guessed a little farther north, eh? Like British Columbia, eh?

No, it should not be formally outlawed or banned.

HOWEVER, each team's coach sets the standard of sportsmanship and behavior and it begins in the dugout. If a coach lets his players trashtalk and jeer at the opposition, then the spectators get the green-light. (God forbid that HS baseball players edn up with NBA basketball player attitudes.)

I went to a game a couple weeks ago when the home team's spectators were laughing and jeering loudly at their own players errors! It was pretty sad. Also went to a game where the opposition spent most of their time hurling insults at us from the dugout. One of the dads felt our coach should instruct the pitchers to begin beaning them in the head at the plate until they shut up. I figure if you get that upset about it, the opposition has won the mental game. Is it ok to purposely hurt another player to get them to stop mouthing off? Again, I think coaches set the tone and that's how it should be.

njbb,

"Its not a matter of protecting the feelings of the players,its because we live in an area that if you boo my kid I'll punch you in the face.The rule is to keep fans under control."

Now that's about the only sensible reason I can think of for banning booing! But could they just ban punching instead?

I hate booing and bad sportsmanship at HS games. I also hate it when my kid's team loses. But I can't imagine a state legislating either. My kids attended a private (church) HS, and in their games, the umps or school ADs or even teachers kept the fan behavior under control (mostly students getting a little too creative or loud OR persistent in heckling).

CD:

quote:

Originally posted by ClevelandDad:
Outlaw booing eh?

Have those many, many cold Alberta Clippers this winter blown a little Canadian culture into Cleveland...eh?

I went to a top basketball college --long ago-- where we prided ourselves on never booing anyone. Worked fine.

I can't recall any booing at a hs baseball game. Maybe a little ump heckling after a truly bad call. Only exception would be bad sportsmanship or unnecessary roughness.