Game Chatter or No Chatter

[TheSoftballZone]

I love the whole chatter thing. Chatter from the field, cheers from the dug-out, encouragement from the stands......that's how it should be. What I'm wondering??

When did the catchers stop chattering at the batter? Is that even allowed anymore? Just don't see it like I used to.

Can you say swing to the batter? I saw a pitcher this summer that at various times with the flight of the ball to the plate grunted ...ball! Now how is that different than someone saying swing?

 

[FastBat]

Catchers used to always chatter or make "small talk" with the batter. As a teen, in the early 90's, I remember catcher's constantly talking to me about my hitting this pitcher or was I feeling lucky because I would need it to hit this pitcher. Basically, getting heckled, it was down right rude! I was wondering about that lately, as I see mainly 10's. Also, the good catchers had a knack at being especially distracting.

Also, what happened to, "Hey batter"? They didn't let us say swing. But, I think it helped the kids stay focused on the batter.

I do hear chatter from the dugouts, I could care less if the opposing girls heckle the pitcher, it's all part of the fun!

 

[FastPitch86]

Chatter is good to keep the kids focused. Think it's bush league when players in dugout are pounding the bench or dugout fence, and/or the obnoxious screaming to try and rattle the pitcher. In the end, the girls on both teams are working hard to perform on the field and should be respected.

 

[yossarian]

Chatter is good to keep the kids focused. Think it's bush league when players in dugout are pounding the bench or dugout fence, and/or the obnoxious screaming to try and rattle the pitcher. In the end, the girls on both teams are working hard to perform on the field and should be respected.

I agree with you on this. I don't mind the chatter but when girls scream at the pitcher when she's in her windup, it's an embarrassment and a bad reflection on the coaches who allow it.

 

[Blue Ice]

College girls chatter and bang on the dugout... Part of the game.

While sitting by opponents team coach would yell either players name or # depending on catcher setting up early inside or outside.

 

[Comp]

College girls chatter and bang on the dugout... Part of the game.

Banging on the dugout is also expressly against the rules in college and for whatever reason the umpires do not enforce it. ASA has rules against artificial noise makers and at least at the nationals I have worked, the umpires are instructed to enforce it. I believe FED also has rules about using equipment the way it was designed.

 

[Blue Ice]

Banging on the dugout is also expressly against the rules in college and for whatever reason the umpires do not enforce it. ASA has rules against artificial noise makers and at least at the nationals I have worked, the umpires are instructed to enforce it. I believe FED also has rules about using equipment the way it was designed.

My point being...they bang in the dugout and chatter. As long as this is not enforced...to the letter. Part of the game weather we like it or not,

 

[cz fastpitch fan]

"3-2, whatcha gonna do? Rip it. Rip it. (louder..) 3-2, whatcha gonna do? Rip it. Rip it. (Downright obnoxiously loud as the pitcher is in her wind-up) 3-2, whatcha gonna do? Rip it. Rip it." This is pretty common at the lower ages. The teams are screaming as though they are supporting their batter, but the volume appears to be in an attempt to distract the pitchers. What are we gonna do? These are young kids and they are excited and cheering on their teams. It's all good.
This we can handle. However, when parents yell "Drop it." when the opposing defensive player is trying to run down a fly ball, that's when it's gone overboard.
Let the kids cheer. It's a part of this game and it keeps them focused on the game when they are in the dugout, right?