How do you handle chants?

[WestMichBlue]

Heyblue said:"If you were to tell a coach to stop the chants directed at the other team, what rule in book would you use to stop it?"

ASA 10.9: Players, coaches, manager or other team members will not make disparaging or insulting remarks to or about opposing players, officials or spectators or commit any acts that could be considered unsportsmanlike conduct.

That rule hands a lot of authority to the umpire, Heyblue. And Mark is correct about NFHS constests; the difference is in the location of rules. NFHS 3.6 Bench and Field Conduct is quite explicit about player and coach mis-conduct.

WRT Rachel's concern about the "Arch," for years I have seen girls JV basketball teams provide the "arch" for their varsity team to enter the court. I took it as an act of respect, and I would see the same on the sofball diamond. For me, if the winners does that for the losing team, I would consider it an act of high sportsmanship and would applaud it.

Now on the football practice field, as many of the guys will remember, running the "gauntlet" is hell!

WMB