Disrespectful player behavior

[Sam]

Man... we really need like buttons up in here...

Thanks for the post, Sheila. I think it is safe to say that we all hope that we have not lost you as a TD over this incident.

[Bullseye]

Originally Posted by SheilaT

Thanks for the support maynard, but let me kindly remind you that I'm nobody's woman but my own. And Andy would be the first to say so.

ScottW, that is reprehensible. This person should be named, held accountable, and at least be on probation with the PDGA for these actions. At least that is my opinion. I thoroughly understand and support your decision to boycott running events. I couldn’t believe what I had to put up with at my event, especially when I gave up my spot just to accommodate as many players as possible.

Here’s what I have to say about this matter. No matter how good of a player you are, or you think you are, you do NOT have a right to play an organized event. You have a privilege. And it’s a privilege made possible solely by the VOLUNTEER work of the TD. Therefore, if you want to have the PRIVILEGE to play, you have to abide by all rules, take responsibility for your own actions, and accept their consequences. Don’t expect to have these rules bent or changed just to accommodate you and your irresponsible actions because they WON’T be.

If anyone disagrees with this, I suggest you run an event yourself and provide productive comments to help improve whatever you disagree with. If you think you can do it better, show me how. Otherwise, I would rather you just said thank you and went on your merry way. Because frankly, and in the words of a famous actor, I don't give a d*mn what you think you're entitled to.

That said, I do recognize that the majority of the people at the event were very appreciative and supportive. I was very grateful for their voiced support.

[ScottW]

Originally Posted by SheilaT

ScottW, that is reprehensible. This person should be named, held accountable, and at least be on probation with the PDGA for these actions. At least that is my opinion. I thoroughly understand and support your decision to boycott running events. I couldn’t believe what I had to put up with at my event, especially when I gave up my spot just to accommodate as many players as possible.

The PDGA stated that I needed to report the incident or I could face sanctions - of which this player was told of my findings. I did report the player and they received a 6 month suspension with 1 year probation which is what prompted the player's harsh words to me. Shortly after that I decided that I would work with this player because I thought that he could help become part of the solution with many others who I see commit the same infraction at tourneys. He has not persued this further and since I have had more time to think about it and discuss it with others I am no longer willing to assist with this and believe the player needs to face his suspension and probation - which really I didn't think was that bad of a punishment afterall.

I couldn't agree more with everything else SheilaT mentioned.

[TREX]

I have been playing in tourneys since 1991, and I am very thankful to all the volunteers and TD's out that that make it possible. Disc Golf as a whole is what it is today due to those people.

Keep up the good work Sheila and Scott..

Thanks

[Toby Puttzinski]

Do we need to start having volunteer 'bouncers' to help filter out the BS that TD's have to put up with from time to time? If you see one of your peers acting like an idiot, pull them aside and set them straight. Jub, maybe you could take this kid under your wing and show him how to be a better ambassador for the sport.

I don't know all of the details, but it seems significant enough that perhaps he should be banned from club events for a period of time, if not indefinitely.

[PuttsRrad]

Maybe this disc golfer should just apologize.

[Magilla]

Originally Posted by Sam

Hell... we have World Champions and Innova-sponsored players who act like this...

Ha, Brad yelled at me ONCE...just once. I believe my response was received loud and clear.

[Magilla]

Originally Posted by Bullseye

This is terrible. We need more good TDs not less!

This ranks right up there with an incident this year where one of the female pros at the BSF started yelling at one of our volunteers for walking by (well away from the green) when she was putting. I am at the point where if I hear about any player yelling at one of our volunteers I will simply include a written complaint in the official TD report and let the PDGA disciplinary committee deal with them.

Ugh.

The Disciplinary Committee would be more than happy to deal with these type of situations.

[TwiZ]

[quote=Sam;108015]Man... we really need like buttons up in here...

I agreee....good discussion!

[Parks]

Originally Posted by ScottW

The PDGA stated that I needed to report the incident or I could face sanctions - of which this player was told of my findings. I did report the player and they received a 6 month suspension with 1 year probation which is what prompted the player's harsh words to me. Shortly after that I decided that I would work with this player because I thought that he could help become part of the solution with many others who I see commit the same infraction at tourneys. He has not persued this further and since I have had more time to think about it and discuss it with others I am no longer willing to assist with this and believe the player needs to face his suspension and probation - which really I didn't think was that bad of a punishment afterall.

I'm STILL waiting for my suspension to be up, you jerkhole!

[DMajor]

What was the infraction that many others commit?

Maybe we can help educate the masses....

[DexterHawk]

I've been thinking about penning an article for one of the disc golf magazines about these issues... Any suggestions for some hard and fast rules for disc golf etiquette?

[ScottW]

Originally Posted by DMajor

What was the infraction that many others commit?
Maybe we can help educate the masses....

Let's just say it was a smoking violation of some kind and he tried to state that it was his constitutional right to medicate himself in that manner Apparently he thought that the PDGA rules don't apply to him if he doesn't like or agree with them I frequently see large numbers of players doing this openly between rounds at tournaments. I think it will only be a matter of time before someone makes an example out of them.

Lyle WTF!?!? Where have you been? I do certainly hope that was a toungue-in-cheek comment there. I thought you imposed your own suspension on yourself because I havn't seen you in so long. School keeping you too busy to play I might be heading that way soon myself.

[Magilla]

Originally Posted by ScottW

Let's just say it was a smoking violation of some kind and he tried to state that it was his constitutional right to medicate himself in that manner Apparently he thought that the PDGA rules don't apply to him if he doesn't like or agree with them I frequently see large numbers of players doing this openly between rounds at tournaments. I think it will only be a matter of time before someone makes an example out of them.

The PDGA rules on "medicating" only apply from the 2 minute warning until scorecards are turned in.
Just say'in.

[General Scales]

An illicit substance is an illicit substance. Would rather see that than alcohol however.

[Parks]

Originally Posted by ScottW

Lyle WTF!?!? Where have you been? I do certainly hope that was a toungue-in-cheek comment there. I thought you imposed your own suspension on yourself because I havn't seen you in so long. School keeping you too busy to play :smash: I might be heading that way soon myself.

Pretty sure everything I post on here is tongue-in-cheek :D

Mostly, I hit a slump and started to lick so many balls at golf that it wasn't fun to play. I'm rebuilding my throw and will be back in full force if it pays off.

You going for a Master's or Doctorate or something? Yowza.

Back on subject; disrespectful players make me sad.

[LJ Jubner]

The interesting thing here is neither of these examples have anything to do with one another. Blowing up at a TD is completely different then smoking pot. Medical Mary J is for home use only. In public and smoking it in Idaho seems really really stupid.

[General Scales]

Originally Posted by DexterHawk

I've been thinking about penning an article for one of the disc golf magazines about these issues... Any suggestions for some hard and fast rules for disc golf etiquette?

Yeah I have a few things that should be MANDATORY!

1.) Ask before you assume you can do anything. This goes with all aspects of the game. Smoking a cig, jump putting, casual relief, etc.
2.) Shut the hell up when people are preparing to throw. I love bantering back and forth with anybody on my card but I will shut my mouth when they get to their lie until they have thrown.
3.) Have fun. Yeah, bad rounds happen (case in point, my last two rounds of the Farragut Open). I still had a smile on my face and a spring in my step. I hate having one negative player effect the entire card with their attitude.
4.) Discuss your beef with the player it's with, not everyone but them. Nothing worse then hearing how you pissed somebody off from somebody that wasn't on your card, or worse, at the tournament.
5.) ALWAYS THANK YOUR TD AND VOLUNTEERS! They get nothing but the satisfaction of seeing their event work. A thank you will go a long way to making sure they come back the next year and try harder to make it better.

I could go on and on and on...

[LJ Jubner]

Originally Posted by DexterHawk

I've been thinking about penning an article for one of the disc golf magazines about these issues... Any suggestions for some hard and fast rules for disc golf etiquette?

How About the BIG 5 rules ( three are courtsey, two are technical)

1. Don't break shit
2. Pack it in Pack it out
3. Don't advance in front of play
4. Play directly behind the mini
5. No falling putts