Distracting cheers
 

From NFHS board. We have rules against attempts to distract the pitcher, but apparently no similar rule against trying to distract the batter? What is the general consensus about a player or team yelling "swing batter" or any other obvious cheer or attempt to distract the batter?

ignore it. Try not to let it get to you.

Tune it out.

There is none. My personal opinion is that addressing an opponent in any manner other than common pleasantries is form of USC. Many do not agree. Some believe anything goes. I don't.

Speaking ASA

Base coaches are forbidden, by rule, to address the opponent or make any comments which would reflect negatively upon the opponent, umpire or spectator. Why should one expect less from a player?

If, in your judgment, it is actually distracting the batter, (and that is its obvious intent), you do have rule backing to stop it (at least in NFHS).

I have no problem with players that want to cheer for their own team. However, I've never understood how "cheering" at an opposing team player to swing the bat and distracting them is cheering for your team.

Softball is not golf. Derogatory stuff is a no go - being the noise police is OOO.

And if they scream "SWING!" on an inside pitch as the ball approaches the plate at 60 MPH?

hopefully the batter hits that nugget outta the park and silences the bench for all time!! :D

So?

Swing batta batta has been around forever.

This is something I've had batters b**ch about in slow-pitch, the chatty catcher who says stuff like "oh, that's a good pitch", "yeah, it's right there", etc. I've had batters ask me to shut the catcher up, and my response is simply, I can't unless it's derogatory.

The only time I ejected a catcher for USC while being chatty was a male catcher who said "That's a good pitch, swing that rack baby!" when a female batter was up to bat in a coed game. She let it go, wisely, because it would have been a ball, and as soon as it hit the ground and I called, "Ball...catcher, gimme the ball." He looked at me and asked why. I told him he was gone for USC and he dropped the ball in amazement and the batter said "now how does my rack look?" :D

rofl

IMO, this would be a gross violation - such as F5 charging in screaming like a banshee waiving her arms.. simply yelling "swing/ring/bling" is not interfering with a batter's ability to hit the ball.. is more like anti-interference-- its encouraging them to hit. There is no rule against encouraging them to hit the ball... not even that one.

I was just pointing out the rule... the umpire does not need to rule USC; he may rule verbal OBS. I've never made this ruling. Ever.

Thats cuz ur a good umpire! ;)