The state of the game.

[David Emerling]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Define foul language

In 1964, Judge Potter Stewart once established the legal definition of hard-core pornography, "I know it when I see it."

I pretty much apply the same thumbrule with regards to foul language. If it makes my skin crawl, if it seems completely out-of-place, if it seems unusual or completely inappropriate ... then it's foul language.

That standard may be different for different umpires.

Do I maintain a list of words that I consider "foul" ... no. Sometimes the tone or the context of the word makes it "foul", when it might otherwise have been dismissed as a slip of the tongue.

A shortstop who mutters "Sh*t!" under her breath when booting a groundball will probably result in my ignoring it. (I may make a comment to her to be careful what she says. It would just be between me and her. I would not make a spectacle of it.) The same utterance, when taking a third strike and staring at me in disbelief will probably get her tossed.

David Emerling
Memphis, TN