Barking like dogs ....

[VolUmp]

District play-in game between two bottom feeders. During first four pitches of game, several visiting team players are disconcerting the pitcher (and annoying the hell out of me) by barking like dogs from their dugout. 

I called "Time," and quickly put a stop to it. 

Next half inning AC walks over and asks me what I said to his boys.  I told him I said the barking needs to stop.

"But they're country boys!"

"Well, they're Varsity high school players and they need to show some class and respect."

"But there's no rule saying they can't bark."

"Are you the Head Coach?"

"No"

"Go back to the dugout please."

Was I part of a, "WHAT WOULD YOU DO?" episode by John Quinones?

 

A 65-year-old adult AC actually defended this behavior.

My wife pointed out that nowhere in the Rules Book does it say that a baserunner may not urinate on the base he's standing, but I'm inclined not to allow that either.

 

[Replacematt]

8 minutes ago, VolUmp said:

District play-in game between two bottom feeders. During first four pitches of game, several visiting team players are disconcerting the pitcher (and annoying the hell out of me) by barking like dogs from their dugout. 

I called "Time," and quickly put a stop to it. 

Next half inning AC walks over and asks me what I said to his boys.  I told him i said the barking needs to stop  

"But they're country boys!"

 

He's an AC. End the conversation here. It's okay to answer their (respectful) questions or to use them to manage the game. Once it turns into an argument, shut it down.

[VolUmp]

Matt, I agree. I guess I've never heard anything so absurd in 13 years of calling FED ball.  842 other times I've heard, "Sorry Blue, I'll take care of it."

[noumpere]

7 hours ago, Matt said:

He's an AC. End the conversation here. It's okay to answer their (respectful) questions or to use them to manage the game. Once it turns into an argument, shut it down.

While I agree to shut it down, I personally would not use this -- It seems a little confrontational to me. (Recognizing that different umpires and different areas have different approaches to this.):

Quote

"Are you the Head Coach?"

"No"

"Go back to the dugout please."

 

[Forest Ump]

In the NCAA rules, this is called orchestrated activity. I don't allow it. I use the same language in HS ball . Same thing if they are banging on dugout walls or fences.

[Senor Azul]

In NCAA and Fed there is rule support to stop this kind of behavior.

NCAA rule 5-17 Verbal Abuse (Bench Jockeying)

SECTION 17. 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.

Note An individual ejected for bench jockeying shall not be suspended unless it is unsportsmanlike in nature.

 

 

Federation Official Interpretation: Hopkins:  A team has developed an orchestrated team action to cheer on a teammate to get a rally going. As long as the action is within the spirit of fair play and not intended to induce a balk, create a distraction for the other team, or intimidate/demean them, the action is legal. EXCEPT:  A team may not pound bats in the dugout when a pitcher begins to deliver. That is obviously intended to gain an advantage and will not be permitted. (Website 2014 #12) (also 3-3-1g, 3-3-1g Pen, and 3.3.1g, h, I, and j)

[BrianC14]

From @Senor Azul reply :

Note An individual ejected for bench jockeying shall not be suspended unless it is unsportsmanlike in nature.

????  What the? ?    Well of course it's unsportsmanlike, that's what makes it against the rules!