Runner called out as a result of base coach heckling the defense

[SonicMojo]

Just a curiosity I guess, but has anyone ever seen an umpire call interference for a base coach heckling a fielder attempting to make a play on the ball?

The base coaches on one of last year's "top" 10U teams relentlessly attempt to heckle and confuse the fielders on almost every batted ball by screaming certain things. It's not the obvious "Drop it," "Miss it," or "Mine," but their comments are clearly directed to the fielders and not the offense. Their intent to hinder the defense is quite obvious.

I believe the ASA rulebook says the following:

When a coach intentionally interferes with a batted or thrown ball, or interferes with the defensive team's opportunity to make a play on another runner. The runner closest to home plate at the time of the interference shall be called out.

The definition of Interference:

Interference is the act of an offensive player or team member (includes base coaches), . . . that impedes, hinders, or confuses a defensive player attempting to execute a play. Contact is not necessary.

Has anyone actually seen this called?

 

[cobb_of_fury]

I have never seen it called but I like that it was - especialy at that age group.

 

[FastBat]

The base coaches on one of last year's "top" 10U teams relentlessly attempt to heckle and confuse the fielders on almost every batted ball by screaming certain things. It's not the obvious "Drop it," "Miss it," or "Mine," but their comments are clearly directed to the fielders and not the offense. Their intent to hinder the defense is quite obvious.

Wow, poor sportsmanship at it's finest! Would't allow my dd around that.

The coaches could/should have been called on that. Have seen parents in 8u telling players from opposing team to swing, so pathetic, they were told to move away from behind the backstop. I've heard of a third basemen getting called on obstruction for making noises and confusing a baserunner on third.

 

[Pacerdad57]

Saw a third baseman at the 14u world.series at Berlin er this past summer that slapped.the ground hard with her glove just as her pitcher released each throw. Never called for anything, but it sure looked.like a strait forward attempt to mess.with hitters/baserunners. Never really amounted to anythjng, but it was annoying just from a watching the game standpoint.

 

[wpaguy]

Had a 1st base coach pretend give instructions his batter , but what he was really trying to do is get into the pitchers head by yelling at the top of his lungs. This was 12u game ...did not work ..we crushed the team.

 

[Simpsoj]

I nearly ejected a parent for something very similar some years ago! It was an instructional league and he wanted to heckle/harass these young women and I gave him one warning, then a second and informed him that if I could hear him again he was going to his car. His daughter was a pitcher and was so embarrassed/frustrated and shook up that she couldn't pitch. I worked hard to get her to focus on me AND I even tried to do some coaching so she wasn't listening to him......really made me angry that he did that to his own daughter.

LOL.....I guess as an official I shouldn't have been coaching but nobody complained!!

 

[TheSoftballZone]

I seen this done by a 10 under Coach at the Punkin Smash this year by the 3rd base Coach who happen to be the head Coach.

 

[BulldawgsDirector]

I'm glad it was called. I'm all for common sense trumping official rules when it comes to sportsmanship. Don't be a jerk, Let the kids play!

 

[TheSoftballZone]

My bad should have read thread better, the runner was not called out. But I seen the 3rd base Coach repeatedly trying to distract the defense.

 

[Stupid Jim]

saw this at a high school, first base coach would start yelling out things at the top of his lungs right when the pitcher would start her wind up, and would continue to shout through out the whole play, by the third inning the infielders came up with a special play just for this guy, they just threw at him a couple of times, and after getting nailed twice he actually complained to the ump, I don't know what the ump said to him, but he was pretty low key for the rest of the game.

 

[coachjwb]

It never ceases to amaze me how some "adult" parents and coaches think they should play a role in helping their youth teams win by doing bush league things ... i.e., something like this, parents stealing signs or calling out pitch locations, yelling derogatory things at players on the other team, etc. I guess some people can't distinguish between what might be done watching a professional game vs. an amateur youth game. I probably wouldn't have lasted long had I ever been an umpire as I would have had no tolerance for this kind of crap ...

 

[Bekah24]

I seen this done by a 10 under Coach at the Punkin Smash this year by the 3rd base Coach who happen to be the head Coach.

My DD was at this tournament playing in this age bracket, must have missed this ...... has me curious though

This type of coaching is alive and well! Hopefully not the norm. This being the first year of looking for a team for my DD outside of me coaching. One of the biggest things that played a huge factor in picking her team was the coaches! I did alot of research many games watching how they conducted themselves! Not only did I want her to be on a top level team, but I also wanted a coaching staff that would be great role models for her. No doubt in my mind we found that!

 

[kinzua]

last year in high school ball dd went for a foul popup....other teams fan started calling for it, she thought it was her catcher calling her off ,ball dropped..umpire warned fans for unsportsmanlike conduct.. next time batter would be called out

 

[gcg3refs]

Verbal Interference can be called. I have called verbal interference in baseball and softball a couple of times when it put the defense in jeopardy (this does not happen often). It could also be called for the offensive player.

 

[mike_dyer]

I bet each and every one of these gentlemen had neatly groomed mustaches.

Every antiheroic coach or athlete has a mustache.

 

[yossarian]

Just name em. If they get called out in public and their orgs know it, they'll stop because nobody will want their kid to play for them once the word gets out.

Pathetic.

 

[cobb_of_fury]

I bet each and every one of these gentlemen had neatly groomed mustaches.

Every antiheroic coach or athlete has a mustache.

I'm offended you would imply that all Villans have facial hair.

I agree - It seems a bit bigoted

Not every evil villan has a Neatly groomed mustache.

Honestly, I find the Idea Deeply offensive.

YEA! - Me too

 

[yossarian]

Not so fast...

 

[cobb_of_fury]

Not so fast...

THat is a LOVELY group of 'staches - You my friend are to be commended.

My gift to you... ENJOY!!
[video=youtube;GZ_fbECcNsA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZ_fbECcNsA[/video]

 

[mike_dyer]

I disagree on the direction the thread has taken because the differences between a villain and an antihero are yuge!

An antihero gets all of the little things wrong but does a good thing in the big picture. Dirty Harry, for example. He lies and breaks the law, but he does so to stop criminals.

It's an ends justify the means situation.

These coaches were trying to win a ball game with some kids they coached up, which would have been a good thing. It sounds like they need to work on the little things though, unless you're an antihero fan. I am.

A villain is just a bad guy.