[scottk_61]

I have waited to comment on this thread jsut to see what or how it is dealt with by others.

Everyone is right that an off field issue doesn't belong to the umpires.
But then again it does.................................

Here is an easy and simple way to deal with the issue that keeps you where you need to be and the players safe.

If you have a fan or parent that is causing a problem,
and you are aware of it
and it is affecting a player's ability to participate in a game.

THEN, stop play
Call the site administrator/TD/Park Manager/League Officer
or the home teams coach

Simply tell them the problem and that in your opinion it is effecting the game or the players safety.
Finish with "Until the problem is taken care of, we have no game."

Then walk away from the fence and talk with your partner or get the coaches together and tell them why as a concern for safety or fair play the game won't continue with PROBLEM X outside the fence.

It usually gets taken care of real quickly.

We cannot say that a distraction outside of the fence is not our concern because it is.
We pay attention to
rain approaching
lightening
car lights in the batters face from the parking lot

Use some common sense and don't interject yourself into the situation anymore than is absolutely necessary.