Obstruction or unsportsmanlike conduct.

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

NFHS rules, girls' H.S. freshmen fastpitch softball.

Starting with Team B's (visiting team) first batter, Team A's (home team) infielders did the following when their pitcher started her windup:

Starting with the third baseman and going around the horn to the first baseman, the infielders started yelling as loud as possible: Hit it to me batter, hit it to me batter, hit it to me batter. This continued until the pitch reached the catcher.

I was suprised by the infielder's actions because I thought that it was a little league tactic. After the top of the first inning, Head Coach B came to me and quietly asked if Team A's actions were legal. I did not share my concerns with Coach B, but I did approach Head Coach A in a quiet, professional manner and told him of my concerns about his infielders actions. For the rest of the game Team A's infielders yelled the following instead: Erin (the pitcher's first name I think) make her it it to me, Erin make her it it to me.

My question is this: Were Team A's infielder's actions obstruction and/or unsportsmanlike conduct?

Here is the kicker about the whole situation. Less than a week later, Team A's league commissioner notified our association's assinger that I was not to be assigned any games involving teams from his leage because of my unprofessional and unethical conduct of telling Coach A that I had concerns about his infielders' actions. Before you get you knickers in a bunch, under OhioHSAA rules, schools have the final say in who officiates games at all levels in both the regular season and tournament play. Meaning you can call a perfect game and if a coach did not like your officiating he can have you black balled and the OhioHSAA allows it. But be that as it may, I am currently concerned about whether Team A's infielders' actions were legal or not.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Mark,

I cannot answer for NFHS, or for that matter, any other organization, as USC is basically a judgment by the umpire.

In my judgment, hollering at the opponent is USC. But that doesn't mean I go around tossing all the players. I just hold up the game until it stops.

Now, let me see, how long does the pitcher have before I can call a ball? d:-)

[whiskers_ump]

Mark,

We [I am in East Texas], have been experiencing things somewhat
similar to what you have posted. Since actually there is no rule
regarding this action, we were told to leave it alone...The yelling
I disregard, but the banging on dugout tops with the softballs,
I have and will always stop. It sounded to me that you handled the
situation professionally and without making any scenes. Seems a shame
you were black balled over that situtation. I like you, would like
to know if other than unsportsmanship, there is a rule that could be
applied here. Tough break..Luck the rest of the way.

glen

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally posted by whiskers_ump
Mark,

We [I am in East Texas], have been experiencing things somewhat
similar to what you have posted. Since actually there is no rule
regarding this action, we were told to leave it alone...The yelling
I disregard, but the banging on dugout tops with the softballs,
I have and will always stop. It sounded to me that you handled the
situation professionally and without making any scenes. Seems a shame
you were black balled over that situtation. I like you, would like
to know if other than unsportsmanship, there is a rule that could be
applied here. Tough break..Luck the rest of the way.

glen

Glen,

Speaking ASA.

I would make my USC rulings based on 10.9.A:

Players, coaches, managers ro other team members will not make disparaging or insulting remarks to or about opposing players, officials or spectators or commit other acts that could be considered unsportsmanlike conduct (My emphasis).

I have had this problem before with catchers screaming at batters. I simply informed the coach that if it continued, the player was gone. That has been as far as I have ever had to take it. The coaches didn't like it, but that was not my concern.

[greymule]

Disparaging or insulting remarks not allowed. Same with shaking the dugout fence, banging things, etc. Probably catcher yelling at batter, too. Certainly digs that get personal. But "chatter" is something else. How about "3 and 2 pitch, whatcha gonna do pitch" or "oh, no, that's too low (oh, my, that's too high), Rachel didn't like it" and all those other rhyming, clapping cheers that so many girls teams engage in, usually while doing some kind of coordinated dance? Much of what Mark described (Erin, make her hit it to me) seems harmless, if a bit distracting to younger players.

The blackballing is ridiculous, though.

I'm undoubtedly in the minority, but to me jibes like "swings like a rusty gate" are just part of the silly chatter of kids. Unless I sense some real hostility, those kind of things don't bother me. Maybe it's because when I played, both teams heard a torrent of abuse throughout the game, and we learned to ignore it. I guess times change.

[Steve M]

I tend to agree with the old gray mule here. Though, here in Pennsylvania, we read a sportsmanship message at the pre-game. For the most part, the chants & cheers & all are pretty amusing. I do nothing to stop them unless there is something that is obviously meant to demean or offend an opponent.

Coaches do not have the final say as to who works their games here, but they have way too much input as to who is selected for district playoffs. If I had been blackballed for something like what Mark had, I'd fire off a game report to the school's AD, the district staff, and the state folks - taking advantage of the web's incredibly easy access to various groups that we couldn't get near a few years ago.

Steve M

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

I can understand some chatter coming from the dugout but this was by the infielders and it was being yelled directly at the batter. Does this make a difference?

[Steve M]

Mark,
Yes, yelling that is directed at somebody and/or changes in intensity at "appropriate" times should make this different. Especially in "developmental" ball, like freshman or JV levels are.

Steve M

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally posted by Steve M
Mark,
Yes, yelling that is directed at somebody and/or changes in intensity at "appropriate" times should make this different. Especially in "developmental" ball, like freshman or JV levels are.

Steve M

Are you saying that Team A's actions were unsportsmanlike or not?

[Steve M]

Mark,
How's an answer of "maybe" do. Since you judged that it was, I can go along with that without any problem. Normal stuff - OK we go along with that. From what you said, this was based on timing and Fed sez you can't do that.

Steve M

[whiskers_ump]

Mark,

After further review,
NFHS.....
Rule 3 Sec 3 o. 1. 2. Note: & 3 could easily apply in
cause you stated.

glen

[kono]

OBR 4.06(b) No fielder shall take a position in the batter's line of vision, and with deliberate unsportsmanlike intent, act in a manner to distract the batter.

Okay - I know this is FED and not OBR. I also know that this is softball and not baseball. I gotta believe that there is a similar FED rule. Check your books.

-Kono

[greymule]

I think this applies to waving arms, jumping around, and so on, not to "chatter."

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

This was not chatter; it was yelling very loudly directly at the batter.

[Dakota]

For what it's worth, even though it cost you, I think you did the right thing.

Your description sounds a lot like "baiting or taunting... or behavior not in the spirit of fair play." NFHS (2001) 3- 3(o)2&3.

I also think you should raise this with higher-ups, since if coaches are using their blackball power for vindictive reasons, there should be limits placed on this power.