Hey, you can't say that.

[jr131981]

if it was a rule, then SP catchers wouldnt make it out of the first inning before being ejected.

This is a Dixie Softball rule. NO defensive player can say or yell "swing" at any time of the batter's turn. BTW This is the same organization that automatically calls a strike if the batter wiggles the bat during the pitch.

[HugoTafurst]

"Hey Batta, No Batta, Hey Batta, No Batta, Hey Batta, No Batta,...........SWING

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by GrumpUmp

This is a Dixie Softball rule. NO defensive player can say or yell "swing" at any time of the batter's turn. BTW This is the same organization that automatically calls a strike if the batter wiggles the bat during the pitch.

This must be a rule that has been added in the two or three years since I last called Dixie. Either that, or it is a popular myth because of all the wacky rules Dixie has.

Now the bat wiggle thing applies to bunt, not just any pitched ball. The interp goes something along the lines of a combination of an offer at the pitch and a distraction to the pitcher. I am sure that Wayne B. could clarify it for you.

Those fun Dixie rules......

[softballaddict]

Had a 12U catcher that would talk to the batter, ask questions etc. as the ball was being pitched. Obviously an attempt to distract the batter. I just told her to stop. She complied for the most part, but would occasionally forget and start again in a new inning. A friendly reminder would stop it. In general I don't have a problem with the "swing" chant, that's always been a part of the game AFIC, but talking and trying to engage in a conversation while a pitch is being thrown is over the line to me.

[CLBuffalo]

Originally Posted by Skahtboi

This must be a rule that has been added in the two or three years since I last called Dixie. Either that, or it is a popular myth because of all the wacky rules Dixie has.

Now the bat wiggle thing applies to bunt, not just any pitched ball. The interp goes something along the lines of a combination of an offer at the pitch and a distraction to the pitcher. I am sure that Wayne B. could clarify it for you.

Those fun Dixie rules......

I called Dixie from 2004 to 2010. The "Hey batter, swing" rule was in the rule book and enforced in the rec league I was doing. Also wiggling the bat on any pitch was by rule an automatic strike and was also enforced. I don't know who Wayne B. is but I would love to hear from him.

[CLBuffalo]

I'm sure by now nobody cares any more but just for the record:

From the 2010 Dixie Rule Book

7:03 — THE BATTER SHALL NOT HINDER THE CATCHER FROM FIELDING OR THROWING THE BALL BY STEPPING OUT OF THE BATTER’S BOX OR INTENTIONALLY HINDER THE CATCHER WHILE STANDING WITHIN THE BATTER’S BOX.
NOTE: If, in the judgment of the Home Plate umpire, a batter “wiggles” her bat or in any way intentionally tries to distract the pitcher and/or catcher, a “strike” will be called on the batter and all baserunners must return to their last legally occupied base. NOTE: This is a “dead ball” call.


XII — CONDUCT AND SPORTSMANSHIP
(A) — Members of one team shall not ride, kid, heckle, poke fun at or in any other manner do anything that in the opinion of the umpire distracts the opposing team.
EXAMPLE: Players from the opposing team cannot yell “swing” at the batter, or “the pitcher can’t pitch”, or “the batter can’t hit”, posting intimidating signs, i.e., K’s, etc.

[NDblue]

So, in other words, Dixie took some of the fun out of the game...