I was working a 10U NSA SP tournament this weekend and the following happened. Runner on 1st when Batter hits ball. Runner hesitates between 1st and 2nd and ends up getting called out on a fairly close play at 2nd. As the girl is walking off the field her coach in a loud voice looks at her and asks "What the hell were you thinking?" At the time I did nothing but would have liked to considering this is 10U. Thoughts or Opinions?

Unfortunately this is the way a lot of parents speak to their kids today. Some will see nothing wrong with it. Maybe in HS ball that would be the norm, (although I don't hear it there either) but in 10U? I feel that was an inappropriate comment, maybe not to the extent of a USC ejection, but at the very least a warning to the coach.

This is a parent's issue, not an umpire's issue, IMO.

We do have a local rule that would allow the umpire to assess an additional OUT in this circumstance (it is called the "family atmosphere" rule; the rule is state-wide from the ASA Commissioner's office). I have ONLY used the rule to warn coaches & parents, however. One person's profanity is another person's normal speech, so I've only used the rule to keep a lid on.

Yes, That is why I didn't say anything. Here in our local ASA league we have a zero tolerance policy on cursing (Umpire's Judgement) which then I could use that but this was NSA tournament play so there is no such rule but it was still disturbing to me being that it was 10U.

I used to call with an umpire who took great offense at the coaches cussing at the kids or embarassing them or ripping them apart in front of the crowd. More than once, I've seen him call time and go have a chat with a bullying coach. He usually quietens the guy/gal and the game goes on. More than once, I've heard dirctors and parents thank him for doing so. He explains it this way: Those are kinda my kids out there on the field and no adult is going to ruin the fun for my kids. He was a very popular umpire, and one of the best I ever got to call with.

I did not know we had ever worked together, Rick!

ROFLMAO

:D

Okay, I guess I gotta be the bad guy.

If that girl isn't a relative or family friend, it's none of the umpire's business.

No, I mean it. It is not the umpire's place to say or do anything in the scenario offered. At least, not during the game.

If you want to complain to the league, TD or another authority, feel free to do so when the game is over.

Mike,

Aren't you usually? Oh yea, that was on another post.
Forgot. (Naturally I am just kidding)
Because I happen to agree with you.

Actually I knew that which is why I did what I did. Absolutely nothing. Unless of course you count complaining about it to you guys :)

I knew it wasn't my place to say anything at that moment. But for arguments sake say he used harsher language in earshot of the other team’s girls. Let’s say he said the same sentence but replace hell with the F-Bomb. Do you still think it is none of our business as officials on the field?

If the F word is spoken loud enough that I, as the
umpire can hear it, this joker is gone.

Rule 4 Sec. 7 C.3. would do for a start.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, I've got more important things to do on that field than be the language police. Merely cursing is not necessarily saying something that reflects negatively upon a player, umpire or spectator.

Seems to me, if anything, it reflects poorly on the coach and if it was loud enough for others to hear, the parents should be responsible for whom they allow near their children.

And for all of those who are thinking, "Well, it ain't gonna happen on my field", let me remind you about something. It is neither your field or game.

I am addressing this specific scenario. How I would react would depend mainly on the context in which the language was used. In my mind, there is a huge difference between, "Aw, f***, what were you thinking out there" and "You dumb f***, what were you thinking out there".

I agree with your stand here, Mike, but I have this small problem of the state ASA issuing the "Family Atmosphere" rule that they expect the umpires to enforce. If you call ASA ball in MN, you have this rule to deal with. As I said, I have so far issued warnings only. The rule is a bit screwy, since it would assess an OUT against the defense if they violate the rule (IOW, they start their next half-inning with 1 out).

The county program which controls most local leagues has what they refer to as a Zero Tolerance rule where if the umpire hears profanity, the player is DQ, not ejected, and cannot participate in the remainder of that game. I rarely enforce the rule because when you do, more often than not, the player or coach goes off on the umpire with a profanity-lace tirade which is worse than the original indiscretion. Then the umpire has no choice then to eject the player which carries a 2-game (or more) suspension. In an area where quite a few games start with nine or ten, it is not unusual for this to also cause a forfeit.

Personally, I handle it as a private discussion with the player and/or coach. I use the rule as a tool which has worked all, but one time in 15 years. In that one case, the player (convict released by Elkton sheriffs dept to play ball on weekends) listened to me and as I turned away just said, "f*** you, Blue". Before I could turn around, he was heading off the field. He wanted to hit the bar before going back to the sheriff's office.

Funny thing was that the third baseman saw what that player did and on the next hit, let the ball go by, looked at me and said, "You f***ing suck". Once again, before I could say anything at the end of the play, he was already heading toward the bar.

And folks wonder why we refer to them as AA's :)