XM MLB Chat: Officials consider ban on BOOING at High School Games in Washington State

The specious knee-jerk reaction of "I pay my money so I should be able to Boo," is just that. Nothing. Why not do anything anywhere? Because you ruin the experience on many levels. It's one of the reasons I rarely go to MLB games. (It's also one of the few things about which I disagree with Mike Francesa). IT'S GOT TO STOP. GO SIT IN YOUR CAR OR APARTMENT AND BOO AT YOURSELF.

"From brawls on professional basketball courts to out-of-control parents at Little League games, unsportsmanlike behavior can be a problem.

Now, some high school sporting officials in Washington state are considering tough new rules — including a ban on booing.

Those who support the ban say that too often, spectators are cruel.

"It's the organized effort to try to intimidate or try to make fun of someone that becomes personal in nature that can escalate then into other concerns that we might have," said Mike Colbrese, executive director of the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association.

Colbrese and his colleagues said they have trouble hiring coaches and referees because of the abuse they take. By banning booing from the stands, they believe they can create a more welcoming environment on the court and field.

Experts agree that behavior at school sports events is not what it used to be.

"Parents are more intense, family members are more intense, siblings are more intense," said Christine Brennan, a USA Today sports columnist and ABC News consultant. "Everything is ratcheted up."

The Interscholastic Association claims it just wants to reinforce good sportsmanship.

"I'm trying to figure out why people think booing is acceptable in the first place," Colbrese said."