I have a DD who plays DIII Softball at a College in Maryland(Currently ranked #2 in the latest NFCA Poll, sorry but had to brag a little) While playing a game at a conference opponents home field (Similar to any high school set up) the home plate umpire ordered all parents or fans who were wearing a team softball T-shirt out from behind the backstop because he said he considered them part of the team. All of the fans involved were parents of team members and had not said a word to any of the officials involved since the games had not even begun. The only set of bleachers at this particular field are behind the backstop. My question is, what does the NCAA rule book say about umpire jurisdiction here? Hopefully some of you who call NCAA ball can answer this.

None. He has jurisdiction over the ball field, and probably not a lot of actual leverage over fans at all.

Consider that in most NCAA ballfields, you pay for the specific seat you are sitting in. I'd love to see some umpire go tell the guy who plopped down max dollars for seat A-1, section 100 behind home plate that he had to move because the umpire didn't like his teeshirt.

Good grief.

NCAA rulebook requires the umpire to "seek help from the on-site administrator or other appropriate individuals in controlling unruly students and spectators."

Rule 13, Section 9. "The responsibility for crowd control rests with the director of athletics and the on-site administrator of the host institution."

wow, whats the deal with this lately?

Wade,

I guess the deal is, it is not our [umpires] job to tell the fans when
and where they can sit. If they are creating a problem, all fields I
call on or have called on have people that handle situtations of
unruly fans. Either a Game Administrator, or security. I only get paid
to call, not seat or actually unseat fans.

me too..

So where are these umpires getting off dealing with the fans?

Thread after thread now...

Maybe a lack of proper training? Having nobody tell them that they have no jurisdiction over that?

You also have to admit, some people think that just becuase they put on the blue that they are now lord and ruler of that little patch of ground and can do whatever they damn well please.