You make the call

[jimpiano]

Originally Posted by Dakota

Jim, does your league publish a list of banned words, or is it left to umpire judgment to define "profanity"?

If it is left to umpire judgment, you may find an umpire or two who would consider saying "Christ" as cursing based on their religious sensibilities. That was Mike's point.

And, as the Don Imus ruckus points out, feigned offense can also be an issue.

We have league commissioners and umpire supervisors who monitor all games in the parks. The sportsmanship and profanity rules are a point of emphasis with managers, players and umpires. Words do not have to be profane to be abusing or threatening,,,while a muttered,self-directed, oath audible only on the diamond does not warrant any action.

These rules cause no concern to anyone and are followed without complaint.
Since the "profanity out", if it is invoked, is imposed on the offending team's NEXT batter, peer pressure alone makes the actual calls extremely rare.

Regarding the Imus affair, I have no idea what "feigned offense" means.