Singing catcher

Dakota · #1 (**permalink**) Mon Aug 30, 2004, 02:18pm

ASA rules, 14U. Fall ball.

One team from a metro-area suburb with a "wealthy" reputation. The other team from a small town well away (~80 miles) from the metro.

Small town team comes to bat. Catcher, in her crouch waiting on the pitcher to begin, starts singing "Old McDonald Had a Farm."

My question - what would you do if

a) It is between pitches, or
b) It is after the pitcher has started her windup.

I'll tell you later what I did.

DownTownTonyBrown · #2 (**permalink**) Mon Aug 30, 2004, 02:28pm

Hum a few bars with her?

Recommend some animals?

Nothing! Unless you feel that it is intimidating the batter.

Perhaps she was singing about you; do you have a resemblance to any particular barnyard animal?

Mark T. DeNucci, Sr. · #3 (**permalink**) Mon Aug 30, 2004, 02:51pm

I am going to tell her in no uncertain terms, that her singing could be interpreted as taunting and that I do not want to hear her singing except "Take me out to the ball game" during the 7th inning stretch.

MTD, Sr.

mick · #4 (**permalink**) Mon Aug 30, 2004, 03:01pm

Quote:

Originally posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.
I am going to tell her in no uncertain terms, that her singing could be interpreted as taunting and that I do not want to hear her singing except "Take me out to the ball game" during the 7th inning stretch.

MTD, Sr.

Good call, Mark T. !
mick

WestMichBlue · #5 (**permalink**) Mon Aug 30, 2004, 03:41pm

"that her singing could be interpreted as taunting"

TAUNTING? I thought it was funny! Have we gotten so P.C. that kids can't have any fun anymore?

WMB

James V · #6 (**permalink**) Mon Aug 30, 2004, 03:47pm

Are we here to play softball or sing songs? How could singing a song by the catcher be anything but distractive to the batter?

#7 (**permalink**) Mon Aug 30, 2004, 04:04pm

I have had the same thing happen several times over the years. I just ask her to stop, as the only reason for doing this is to cause a distraction. Never had a problem for asking the catcher to stop because the coach is usually in on it.

mick · #8 (**permalink**) Mon Aug 30, 2004, 04:13pm

Quote:

Originally posted by WestMichBlue
"that her singing could be interpreted as taunting"

TAUNTING? I thought it was funny! Have we gotten so P.C. that kids can't have any fun anymore?

WMB

The suburban semi-sophisticate putting down the small town chick from the sticks does not have to happen.
...Very unsporting and very unecessary.
Just won't happen at my table.

mick

#9 (**permalink**) Mon Aug 30, 2004, 04:58pm

I would just tell the catcher no more singing, along with a word to the coach. Now if the whole team wants to sing, just call time and sing along! (Just kidding of course!)

Bagman62 · #10 (**permalink**) Mon Aug 30, 2004, 05:41pm

I've never had singing but I have let catchers say "nursery rhymes", I guess that is long before I was Blue I was a catcher that never shut up. As long as ASA Rule 10 Section 9 subsection A is not violated I let them have fun.

Tennis and Golf are for quiet time while Football, Basketball, Baseball and Softball are for enthusiam and excitment without disparaging or insulting words, songs or rhymes.

MDblue · #11 (**permalink**) Mon Aug 30, 2004, 05:57pm

I just want to play devil's advocate. So, you are saying that the defensive team cannot say "hey, batter, batter swing" because it is distractive???

Rachel · #12 (**permalink**) Mon Aug 30, 2004, 07:07pm

I say it's taunting and the players are there to play softball. I live in the same state that Dakota lives in.

Elaine "Lady Blue" · #13 (**permalink**) Mon Aug 30, 2004, 08:04pm

At 14U, I'd say the catcher is singing to distract the batter. I'd say "Sorry catch, but your singing is distracting me, so please stop." Did that, it worked for me!