What constitutes profanity?

[Old Nr 24]

How much leeway do you give a player or coach with profanity? Is it more situational than absolute? Does it depend on the level of play? Does it depend on who might have heard it? I know some divisions and rules say it is an absolute, but I wonder, and would love to see the responses these questions might draw.

I always based my treatment of that on the level of play and the situation. If it is loud and abusive, of course the culprit is going to leave, but I have also tempered my reaction many times, especially at the higher competition levels with older participants. I played the game and I can still remember how intense it got sometimes. Okay, maybe I can't remember breakfast, but I CAN remember that!

As an example, I once was working the plate in a J.C. game...tight game so each at bat was crucial. A very good hitter was at the plate, and he tried to drive a 2-2 pitch into the next county, but missed it. As a right-hander, his follow through turned him toward the third base line, and his momentum kept him turning, so he was virtually face to face with me when he grunted under his breath, "F**K!" Immediately he got that deer in the headlights look on his face, just knowing he was headed for the showers. Absolutely no one but me and the catcher heard anything, so I looked at him from behind the mask and said, "I know exactly how you feel." He sheepishly headed for his dugout without a word.

[Umpire in Chief]

If it's only me that hears it and it's not directed at me but at the situation ( popping up, striking out, dropping a ball...) no problem. He's just ticked at himself.

If he's ticked at the situation, and it gets too loud, I may say something to the coach or player to tone it down, but no EJ.

If it is directed at me but not in a you statement, (WTF happened here.., he dropped the GD ball) as long as it's not too loud and an attempt to show me up fine.

If it is directed to me in not in a you statement but in a way intended to incite others by being loud where I believe the intent is for others to hear, gone.

If it is directed at me and with malice or in a you statement, gone.

[LMSANS]

I have no absolutes, it is very situational and based on the level.

[mstaylor]

It definitely depends on level and situation. I am not going to allow anything loud in a HS or below game, coach or player. Adult or college, I am going to allow some but again it depends on the sitch. A palyer yakking at himself is nothing, yelling across the infield is something else. A manager at any level I will allow some as long as it is between him and I.

I had a buddy working a travel tournament and the manager came to the plate meeting and asked how the f**k was he. My buddy explained he might want to temper his language. He had no idea he had said anything bad. They all got a good laugh.

[JohnT]

In our league, if it is an adult cussing it is automatic EJ. If it is a player, that player gets a warning, and the next time its an EJ. No ifs, ands, or buts.

[UmpJM]

I pretty much concur with what Warren said in his post above.

The words I don't concern myself with so much. What is said, I do.

I have had 3 ejections I can think of that "language" contributed to. Two used obscenity, one was vulgarity, and none involved profanity.

My favorite was "asshead" directed at an opponent as a player was leaving the field.

Cracked me up.

Still tossed him though.

JM

[someoneinca]

If it's only me that hears it and it's not directed at me but at the situation ( popping up, striking out, dropping a ball...) no problem. He's just ticked at himself.

If he's ticked at the situation, and it gets too loud, I may say something to the coach or player to tone it down, but no EJ.

If it is directed at me but not in a you statement, (WTF happened here.., he dropped the GD ball) as long as it's not too loud and an attempt to show me up fine.

If it is directed to me in not in a you statement but in a way intended to incite others by being loud where I believe the intent is for others to hear, gone.

If it is directed at me and with malice or in a you statement, gone.

I agree

[kylejt]

It really depends on the situation. Age, volume, etc.

12 year olds who get plunked and blurt out something won't get the thumb. Neither will base coaches who get nailed, but I might put the in the dugout.

Drop the eff bomb from the dugout, and you'll go. If it's between me and the coach, it better be funny.

A local LL coach had just come off a 38-0 regular season, and runner up spot at Williamsport. His team the next season was not up to par. About five games in, he came out to me in the field, and slowly started to scrape dirt over my shoes.

"Kyle, I'm tired of this @#$. What's it going to take to get you to throw me out of the game", in a voice just loud enough for only me to hear.

"Marty, if I've got to stay for this @#$%, so do you. So run along"

[Ump29]

Love it !!!

[Tyennie]

I had an AmLg coach a couple of years ago yell from his dugout to his outfielder "Throw the F***in' ball" I didn't toss him, 'cause i was thinking the same thing. I did go over between innings and told him to clean it up, his assistant said i may as well send the HC to the parking lot now because his level of frustration was peaking. ty

[jjb]

Kyle's nailed it:it depends on the age and the situation.

I may toss at a lower level, and, at the upper level, I may give it the old "Hey, Ixnay on the uckfay", if he's not directing it at me.

[catoblue]

Age is the biggie with me. Calling only LL games, I expect everyone to refrain from obscenities, vulgarities and profanities. Chances are, I might let something slide if I overhear someone mutter something to them self under their breath, but anything that can be heard by anyone other than just me, they get the hook.

[willv28]

I agree, depends on age. I can't hear what's said in the dugouts well, so I guess that might help in not ejecting anyone. If they said it so I can hear it, I know for sure everyone can hear it.

[therefump]

It really depends on the situation. Age, volume, etc.

"Kyle, I'm tired of this @#$. What's it going to take to get you to throw me out of the game", in a voice just loud enough for only me to hear.

"Marty, if I've got to stay for this @#$%, so do you. So run along"

Never never never make yourself vulnerable by cursing at a player even if you know the person. :banghead: