Fraternization
 

I searched the forum for this topic but didn't come up with much.

Did I read somewhere that umpires should be cautious about fraternizing with team members? Or showing outward signs of partiality?

Recently observed an umpire fist-bumping, low-fiving, and pointing to a player who made a great defensive play. Just for the one team and not the other.

Does USA Softball have any guidelines? I looked in rules book and umpire manual but nothing stood out.

Im just trying to imagine a scenario where an umpire would be close enough to a player to make high five/fist bump after a play outside of between innings as the defense comes off the field or on the way to getting into position for the next pitch.

Well, this out of the "Code of Ethics for Umpires" section in the Umpire Manual might cover it:

I would say any unsolicited reaction by an umpire towards a player would fall into the category of something that would catch the attention of a spectator. So don't do it, even if it's done to both teams equally.