fielders yelling
 

in ASA SP game, are fielders allowed to yell mid pitch, stuff like "there it is" "swing" ..... also, are runners/bench ppl allowed to yell when a fielder is about to make a catch on a popup/flyball?

IMO, the better question is.. are they prohibited from doing so?

It is unsportsmanlike and as an umpire I would put an end to it.

Interference is the act of an offensive player impeding the ability of a defensive player to make a play. It can be physical or vocal.

Yes, under the category of unsportsmanlike conduct. Take the extreme of the team at bat screaming loudly when the pitcher is about to make his delivery. If it's obvious the intent is to throw off the pitcher, yes, it's unsportsmanlike. If it's just a little bit of noise, I'd let it go.

I had a game not too long ago where on the pitcher's backswing, one guy in the dugout suddenly broke a near dead silence by screaming, "let's go, Mike!" The pitcher, who was obviously inexperienced in a C league game, stopped his delivery. Technically, an IP, but I'm not calling that one. I called time and told the guy in the dugout to knock off the crap or somebody's going to the parking lot early.

It's a tough line to draw, as it becomes an issue of managing the game versus managing individuals. Is it picking nits? Depends on where you draw the line.

There's a major difference between cheering for your team and being an a$$hole. The guy in the above example was clearly being the latter, so that's when I step in.

Quote:

in ASA SP game, are fielders allowed to yell mid pitch, stuff like "there it is" "swing"

ASA 6FP.5.B
ASA 6MP.5.B
ASA 6SP.4.B
ASA 6SP16".4.B

A fielder shall not take a position in the batter's line of vision or, with deliberate unsportsmanlike intent, act in a manner to distract the batter. A pitch does not have to be released
EFFECT: The offending player shall be ejected from the game.

Exactly - all USC is an ejectable offense. (ie extreme)

So is a left fielder yelling swing.. USC. What about a shortstop?

I say no. In fact, i could handle it when I was a 10 y/o playing LL...."swing batta batta"

Again, it all depends on the judgment of the umpire, taking into consideration the level of play and the circumstances of the act. Was it dead quiet beforehand? Was it from 200 feet away in the outfield or 30 feet away in the dugout? Was it loud? Not so much? What did the player being yelled at do as a response? Flinch? Duck? Drive the ball 350' over the fence? Was it in the bottom of the 7th with bases loaded and two outs?

Yes, some players handle it better than others, but that doesn't make the act any less unsportsmanlike.

thanks for all the replies.

my thoughts were exactly what most ppl said, I was unsure if there was something explicitly written in the rule book, I couldnt find anything, hence the post.

Is there a rule prohibiting me from taking a dump on 1B? I understand your logic, and it would be great if this we were talking about legalese or an "expertly" written document.

If i could get a dollar from everyone who understood this, I'd be a millionaire.:):)

In today's world, you might make more money getting a quarter from everyone who doesn't understand this!:rolleyes:

and that is why the world is so screwed up now.

Sure, thats obviously an unsportsmanlike (and btw, illegal) act, so that would not be in the same realm as your op.

Unless you are actually contending taking a dump in middle of a game field compares to a RF yelling swing.\\
Which.. if you think it compares, why even ask?

IMO, this is a common sense thing and ASA conveys that with they way they wrote the rule.

If its less/minor, it is over looked. Unless it rises to the level of USC, it is nothing.

somewhat along these lines, have you ever had hitters complain about fielders moving while the pitch is in the air?

only thing I can find close (in USSSA) is the prohibition against trying to get in the batter's line of sight. like a kamikaze 3B can't go running down the line and cut in front of the plate just before the swing.

but i've had a couple batters protest about infielders cheating left or right while the pitch is on the way. anything to this?

They run into enough OOO umps that they will try anything I guess. :cool: