How would you handle this?

[That 1 Guy]

This scenario played out earlier this week and I'm interested to get the take of my esteemed peers on the matter.

While covering a high school varsity baseball game this week, one of our sports writers was repeatedly showered with spit-out sunflower seeds from members of the sophomore team in the stands. They continued after he asked them to stop and he eventually had to move to avoid reacting in a regrettable way. There have been issues such as these with this school in the past, though nothing quite as disgusting and disrespectful as this.

It's a parochial high school in the city. There are two public high schools. If it makes a difference, we're about a 30K daily that covers around 30 high schools in a three-state area.

My question for you guys is, how would you handle this situation? Do you forget about it? Say something to the AD, coach, etc? Beat the snot out of the kid?

Edited for spelling.

 

[imjustagirl]

I'd do exactly what he did, and if it's happened before I'd mention it to the AD. I would NOT vote for C ... at least not while anyone's looking.

 

[Baron Scicluna]

I'd remind the sophomores of who I was, and tell them that if they wanted me to cover any of their games when they move up to varsity to cut it out.

And if that wouldn't work, then I'd tell them that what they were doing would make for a good note at the end of the game you were covering. With names.

And yeah, I'd let the AD know as well.

 

[imjustagirl]

I'd remind the sophomores of who I was, and tell them that if they wanted me to cover any of their games when they move up to varsity to cut it out.

And if that wouldn't work, then I'd tell them that what they were doing would make for a good note at the end of the game you were covering. With names.

And yeah, I'd let the AD know as well.

Dear god, don't do this.

Playing the "don't you know who I am" card NEVER works out. Ever. Ever. Ever.

 

[That 1 Guy]

As far as we know, the players never knew who the target was until after they heard from the AD.

The SE sent an email to the AD, principal and coach informing them of the incident. Needless to say, they were pissed.

Also, option C was never a real option. Those kids may have forgotten they were representing their school, but our guy remembered he was representing the newspaper.

 

[Boom_70]

Get out cell phone, take a picture and tell them that if it does not stop picture is going to principle and AD.

 

[SixToe]

I'd remind the sophomores of who I was, and tell them that if they wanted me to cover any of their games when they move up to varsity to cut it out.

And if that wouldn't work, then I'd tell them that what they were doing would make for a good note at the end of the game you were covering. With names.

No, you wouldn't, on either one. Both are in the top tier of douchebaggery.

 

[Liut]

Baron was kidding. I think.

 

[SixToe]

My blue font meter is broken.

 

[BTExpress]

Get out cell phone, take a picture and tell them that if it does not stop picture is going to principle and AD.

The principal is our PAL.

Won't you please let him be yours?

 

[Padre]

sounds like you guys handled it perfectly

 

[Baron Scicluna]

Well, yes and no in terms of whether I was kidding.

I know I wouldn't be the one deciding on covering their games, and even if I did, I know I would still do it because it's my job. And I know that I wouldn't be able to put their names in the paper for hitting me with sunflower seeds.

But I'd also be counting on that odds are, the kids have no clue about what I can and cannot write, and the mere threats may make them think twice next time.

With the kids, I'd be like, "Hey guys, you do know I work for the paper, right? You guys must not want me to cover your games when you reach varsity, if you're going to treat me like this. There's other teams out there who are more respectful."

And if that didn't work, I'd be like, "Well guys, the behavior of the crowd at this game is news. Guess I'll be adding your names in at the end of my game story. I'm sure your parents will love that."

Like Crash Davis says, they're kids. Scare them.

 

[ColdCat]

I doubt the "keep it up and we won't cover you" tactic would work since it's often not the kids, but their parents who care about coverage. Go after the one thing they do care about, playing time. Tell the coach what happened.

 

[imjustagirl]

Sure your bosses would love you threatening teenagers and telling them that your personal whims will determine coverage.

 

[Mystery Meat II]

Calmly tell them they brought sunflower seeds to a chaw fight. Proceed as necessary.

 

[Baron Scicluna]

Sure your bosses would love you threatening teenagers and telling them that your personal whims will determine coverage.

I'd tell my bosses that I wasn't being serious with them.

 

[Mystery Meat II]

Sure your bosses would love you threatening teenagers and telling them that your personal whims will determine coverage.

I'd tell my bosses that I wasn't being serious with them.

Not a wise move. Even joking about it has the potential to be taken very seriously and very negatively when done in the public eye, unless it's patently obvious that everyone's in on the gag.

 

[fossywriter8]

Had a similar incident (thought not involving spitting) years ago with the local parochial school.
A special speaker talked to the kids about volunteering and I got a picture from slightly behind and to the side of the speaker so you could see her and the students.
I took four pics. Three showed a small group of boys making obscene gestures (way beyond flying the bird). This was before digital, so what they did wasn’t discovered until after the film and pictures were developed.
Hilarity ensued on several fronts:
1) We had to explain to our editor what the gesture (form a ‘V’ with you fingers and add a tongue) meant.
2) At least three members of the staff were graduates of said school and weren’t pleased.
3) One of the grads also helped coach a team at the school, including one of the boys involved.
The editor called the principal, relayed what happened and got a quick apology from him. The school then made each boy come into the office to apologize. The best was when the athlete came in.
He didn’t know his coach was there. The coach came around the corner, jabbed a finger in the kid’s sternum and told him he’d rip him a new one if said kid ever embarassed him, the school and his family like that again.
We never had another problem.

 

[That 1 Guy]

Calmly tell them they brought sunflower seeds to a chaw fight. Proceed as necessary.

Just took a drink as I read this. I now need paper towels to wipe off my monitor.

 

[Baron Scicluna]

Sure your bosses would love you threatening teenagers and telling them that your personal whims will determine coverage.

I'd tell my bosses that I wasn't being serious with them.

Not a wise move. Even joking about it has the potential to be taken very seriously and very negatively when done in the public eye, unless it's patently obvious that everyone's in on the gag.

Then if people complained, I'd tell them to have a talk with their kids about being respectful to total strangers. It shouldn't even matter that it was happening to a sportswriter. They were being disrespectful to someone who had done nothing to them.