Quote:
Originally posted by shipwreck
I just found it in our Nebraska ASA 2003 Procedural Codes. Here is what it says, "The umpire has the authority to assess ONE OUT against the offending team for the use of CASUAL PROFANITY which shall be defined as expletives(Vulgar or Profane Language) not directed at umpires or opposing players, uttered by a player, manager/coach, on the field or individual within the dugout involved with the play of the team, frustrated with themselves, a teammate or fan. All outs will be assessed against the offending team during their term at bat. Only ONE "Casual Profanity" out may be assessed per play with a maximum of two (2) per term at bat. Incidents of vulgar or profane language exceeding these limits will subject the individuals responsible to ejection from the game for unsportsmanlike conduct. A player ejected from the game for exceeding these limits will not have a casual profanity out charged to the team. The Casual Profanity penalty "out" will be assessed as a team and will not affect any batter or base runner. For scoring purposes, the putout will be credited to the catcher. Dave
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Sorry, I don't buy into this type of rule, it's application or it's penalties.
This is just one more thing dumped on the umpire due to someone else's concern, but lack of willingness to control it. I have enough to do without being the language police on the ball field.
There is a local rule which gives the umpire the ability to "cool down" a player in these situations by DQing them for the game. You will not see me using that rule. I will often remind and/or request players and coaches to refrain from what "I" perceive as profanity, but if a player is behaving that poorly, I will eject them.
Such a rule is often open to a large range of interpretation by the umpire AND the opposing teams. You have people interjecting religious beliefs into the issue. Under a rule used in Richmond, VA. I once witnessed an umpire give the team at bat an extra out just for the pitcher using the word "god" after a line drive got by him. He uttered no other words than god. I was the on-deck batter and had no problem telling the umpire such an application was ridiculous even though my team benefitted from her ruling. Last I heard, this umpire was ASA President Frank Taylor's personal assitant. There's a real shock.
I've also heard players admonished for the use of damn, hell and even "gee's Louise".
I have better things to do than be arrogant enough to think that my beliefs should apply to all.