Bench Jockeying Warning

[zoops]

If a bench is starting to chirp and it's most of the players on the bench (some of these college teams seem to have dozens), can you issue a warning to the entire bench?  I know the rule says that the individual should be warned, but it would seem to kind of silly to issue warnings to 10 individual players...

 

Game personnel shall not use language that will, in any manner, refer to or reflect negatively upon opposing players, coaches, umpires or spectators. Any orchestrated activities by dugout personnel designed to distract, intimidate, or disconcert the opposing team or reflect poor sportsmanship shall not be allowed.

PENALTY: The umpire shall warn the offending individual and the coach one time. If the verbal abuse continues after the warning, the offender shall be ejected. If the verbal abuse continues after the first ejection, the head coach shall be ejected along with any other offending personnel.

[johnnyg08]

If it's orchestrated by the "entire" dugout, just pick somebody.  

[umpstu]

Warn the entire team.  Write it down.  Now it's on record. Next time run somebody.  And there are no more warnings because it might be for a different infraction.  Once warned that is it for the entire game.

[bam]

Warn their best player.

[ricka56]

I don't work college ball and a year or two maturity after graduating HS may sophisticate these young men, but what kind of antics do college players try that need to be shut-down. Do you not allow them to talk/yell at the opposing F1 (or any other player). What do you allow ?

[johnnyg08]

@ricka56,

 

They would not be allowing to trash talk/jaw jack the other team in any manner.  

[zm1283]

I don't work college ball and a year or two maturity after graduating HS may sophisticate these young men, but what kind of antics do college players try that need to be shut-down. Do you not allow them to talk/yell at the opposing F1 (or any other player). What do you allow ?

 

Do you?

[ricka56]

 

I don't work college ball and a year or two maturity after graduating HS may sophisticate these young men, but what kind of antics do college players try that need to be shut-down. Do you not allow them to talk/yell at the opposing F1 (or any other player). What do you allow ?

 

Do you?

 

In HS games here, there is lots of chatter. If it starts to get nasty, we put a stop to it, but mostly its just noise. I was trying to get an idea of the difference between managing college versus high school players.

[UmpJeff]

There is a lot of chatter/yelling from benches in both HS and College.  I permit them to be as vocal as they'd like to be so long as it's to/at their own teammates.  BUT, the first time I hear any of it directed at an opposing player, I shut it down.

[zoops]

It can be a tough one, dugouts get boisterous and sometimes 18/19 year olds yell things that aren't the best even though they don't mean harm by it and I don't want to be the guy who warns a team for being too excited.  Things like "he's getting rattled/tired/wild!" "3 (balls) in a row!" "Make him put it in there" "pound those meatballs" could warrant being shut down but I guess you just have to umpire and judge the situation.  Certainly seems as though boisterous dugouts end up inevitably voicing their opinions on close ball/strike or out/safe calls as well so it can be good to warn as soon as you feel things are slipping towards taunting instead of cheering for their own team.  I've found college teams know very well that they can't do it and will stop on a dime if you warn.

[johnnyg08]

It can be a tough one, dugouts get boisterous and sometimes 18/19 year olds yell things that aren't the best even though they don't mean harm by it and I don't want to be the guy who warns a team for being too excited.  Things like "he's getting rattled/tired/wild!" "3 (balls) in a row!" "Make him put it in there" "pound those meatballs" could warrant being shut down but I guess you just have to umpire and judge the situation.  Certainly seems as though boisterous dugouts end up inevitably voicing their opinions on close ball/strike or out/safe calls as well so it can be good to warn as soon as you feel things are slipping towards taunting instead of cheering for their own team.  I've found college teams know very well that they can't do it and will stop on a dime if you warn.

 

I agree.  They know exactly what they're doing and some will push the envelope and even cross the line as long as nobody warns. 

[GerryB]

Last week, home team/offense's dugout, half of the team kneels, the other half stands behind them. As the relief pitcher begins his stretch, a home team player yells "Arrow!" they all reach in their imaginary quivers for arrows...then he yells, "Pull!" and they all pretend to pull on the imaginary bow strings, then he yells "Fire!" as the pitcher releases the ball...it was an easy warning and the activity was not repeated...

"Any orchestrated activities by dugout personnel designed to distract, intimidate, or disconcert the opposing team..."

 

Edited April 27, 2015 by GerryB

[johnnyg08]

Last week, home team/offense's dugout, half of the team kneels, the other half stands behind them. As the relief pitcher begins his stretch, a home team player yells "Arrow!" they all reach in their imaginary quivers for arrows...then he yells, "Pull!" and they all pretend to pull on the imaginary bow strings, then he yells "Fire!" as the pitcher releases the ball...it was an easy warning and the activity was not repeated...

"Any orchestrated activities by dugout personnel designed to distract, intimidate, or disconcert the opposing team..."

 

​While it's against the rules, I laugh at some of the stuff the college teams do.  

Yes, it can be overkill, but some of the stuff is just plain funny.  

 

[UmpJeff]

Quite frankly, you would think at the college level it would taper off.  It's worse at the collegiate level than it is at the HS level...much worse!!  I had a non-con JUCO DH yesterday where both benches hooted and hollered ALL game long.  Nothing too egregious to issue warnings, but annoying as all Hell just the same.  

[HuskerUmp22]

How do you guys handle warnings with regard to this topic? I'm guessing we would never walk over to the dugout. Would it just be talking to the HC of the violating team and telling him to have his guys knock it off? 

[johnnyg08]

If you're going to issue a formal warning, always work through the head coach so he is 100% aware of what you are doing.  

Also, only get as close to the dugouts as needed.  Stay out of the dugout areas if at all possible.