How do you handle chants?

[heyblue]

How do you all handle teams that chant?

For example, there is one team in particular that when they are on the field they chant "hey batter, batter, listen to us chatter...baaaaaaaa". Then when on offense, they have one for the pitcher: "Hey pitcher pitcher...." These are younger girls 10-12, but I do run into it in some older age groups as well. I was trying to find a rule to back me up when I tell them to they can chant to help their team, but they can't call the pitcher or batter by name because it could be a form of interference or USC. I've been told that I could use the interference rule or uSC, but how can you tell when it actually does interfere with the batter/pitcher or when it becomes USC? Do you all use the same rules or is there something I'm missing?

So far I've gotten away with what I tell them, but I know soon some coach is going to challenge it and say there's no rule against them referring to certain positions on the field.

Do you all run into situations like this and if so, how do you handle it?

[TexBlue]

For the most part, the chants are in good taste and spirit.
"Too low, get the worms a helmet", "We got spirit, how 'bout you" etc. etc. I just let them chant. Now, if they make it personal, like yell out Susie's name just as she's about to pitch, or something along those lines, I stop it. Otherwise, it's a game, let the girls have fun. All the teams like to chant. Let's have fun.

[3afan]

as long as it does not get abusive or personal or ugly, etc. i'll pretty much let 'em say what they want

[JEL]

"Hey pitcher look at me, I'm a cow in a tree,
Eat more chicken, eat eat more chicken!"

I wouldn't even try to stop it. Silent games are called baseball! well, at least HS and college. Softball games without the chants and excitement from the kids just wouldn't be the same. If it gets abusive, you will know it and stop it.

[Rachel]

Several years ago I did a u12 game and at the end the winning team formed a gauntlet forcing the losing team to walk under it to get to their dugout. They chanted "We are proud of you oh we are proud of you". I asked the coach if they do that if they lose and he said "no". I told him "then don't do it at all".
That was the tackiest thing I'd ever heard. I thought about the fist fights that would errupt at an U18 game if that happened.

I haven't seen it since.

[Skahtboi]

Originally posted by Rachel
Several years ago I did a u12 game and at the end the winning team formed a gauntlet forcing the losing team to walk under it to get to their dugout. They chanted "We are proud of you oh we are proud of you". I asked the coach if they do that if they lose and he said "no". I told him "then don't do it at all".
That was the tackiest thing I'd ever heard. I thought about the fist fights that would errupt at an U18 game if that happened.

I haven't seen it since.

But in most cases, this is meant in the spirit of good sportsmanship. I have seen this many times, and it is always the winning team doing it to the losing team. It is just another way of saying, "ya'll played one hell of a game!"

[Skahtboi]

"Holy cow its a foul, moooo-ve it over."

Honestly, I have better things to do than monitor chants. It is, as many others have stated, simply a part of the game.

[Bandit]

Rachel, you make the statement with in your post "and at the end" (sorry I don't know how to do those fancy quote things on these posts) why are you sticking around long enough to have any conversations. Your job is done. I don't understand why an umpire would want the last feeling left to a coach as a bitter one. We have the possibility of leaving bad tastes during the game why strecth the time ?

[mcrowder]

"We are so proud of you" is usually done in good taste, not bad.

I usually let them say whatever they want other that specific names.

However, I'm backed up by Dixie rules that don't allow a player to be singled out by a cheer.

[Rachel]

I had that team the next day and talked to the coach prior to the game. When the game is over I like to go away. If a team says something positive "We are proud of you" away from the other teams dugout I don't have a problem with that. The problem comes when the other team is forced to walk under the outstretched arms of the victorious team to get back to their dugout. There really is nothing as an umpire I can do to punish that kind of behavior. I just think that a team should shake hands and then go out to wherever they go to have their postgame meeting.

[blueskysblue]

Couple of weeks ago, adult SP tourney, elimination game. Winners gather around the pitcher's plate, "GO XXX (OPPONENTS), GO XXX, GO, GO, GO, HOME!

I do a lot of softball, FP and SP, various levels and systems, and had never heard that one before!

By the way, the past couple of years, some of the HS baseball teams have started to use some chants very similar to the HS softball teams. Never thought I'd see that!

[bluezebra]

If the chants are directed toward their own team, ie., "Come on Candy, you're so dandy", etc. no problem. But if they're directed at the opposition, as in the original post, "Coach, that's not allowed. PERIOD. No discussion."

[heyblue]

Bluezebra,

Let me make sure what you are saying. Are you saying that if the defensive team in the field starts saying "hey batter batter listen to us chatter...." then you put a stop to it? If so, what rule do you use to back that up if the coach questions??

Thanks

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally posted by heyblue
Bluezebra,

Let me make sure what you are saying. Are you saying that if the defensive team in the field starts saying "hey batter batter listen to us chatter...." then you put a stop to it? If so, what rule do you use to back that up if the coach questions??

Thanks

Speaking ASA

I would use 10.9.A.

The purpose of chants, IMO (for WMB ) is to show support for one's team, not to distract the opponent. Yes, we are not the "chant police" and most of the time I have blocked out the chatter to the point that I do not hear it. So, if I do hear it, something had been said that got my attention. If it was enough to get my attention, it is probably gotten the attention of the opposing team. Then I will listen.

I'm with BZ on this one. If it is directed at the opponent DURING PLAY, I will quietly attempt to muffle it by dealing with the coach, not the players.

[SF]

So Mike, are you saying you would have them stop the "hey batter batter..." cheer?