Cheering during a pitch

[Guest Tom]

This past weekend during a USSSA 10U baseball tournament, the opposing coach complained to the umpire that our team was cheering after the pitcher came set.  We were asked to stop all talking once the opposing pitcher came set.  At the time, we were trying to get our team excited by yelling encouragement to our own teammates who were batting.  We do not allow any negative comments or any comments directed at the other team.

My guess is that the umpire was appeasing the opposing coach.  I'm unaware of any rule or associated penalty for positively cheering on your own team at any point in the game but I've been wrong many times before.

Can someone help me understand this ruling so that we can coach our boys appropriately?

[flyingron]

Not sure which exactly USSSA ruleset  you are under but the ones I'm familiar with is that you can't us intimidate, bait, or taunt (and obviously profanity is out).    Of course there are the general "not behaving in the manner of fair play" or "commit unsporting acts."     Frankly, I agree this is probably an overreaction, but once you're warned, you need to tone it down as requested.   You may wish to follow up with the tournament people as to what is permitted.

 

[Velho]

The other consideration is if the cheering reaches a crescendo during the pitching motion. LL explicitly prohibits this as an example. It's a judgement call of course.

[LRZ]

Although USSSA is not LL, the LL RIM offers some guidance in 4.06: "Cheering and chanting from the dugout can be of any intensity as long as it is positive and directed toward players on their own team. There should be no crescendo as the pitcher is delivering a pitch (or a fielder is attempting to make a play). The umpire should warn the manager that this will not be allowed."

OBR 6.04 (a)(1-3)(Unsportsmanlike Conduct) states, 

"No manager, player, substitute, coach, trainer or batboy shall at any time, whether from the bench, the coach's box or on the playing field, or elsewhere:

  (1) Incite, or try to incite, by word or sign a demonstration by spectators;

  (2) Use language which will in any manner refer to or reflect upon opposing players, an umpire, or any spectator;

  (3) Call "Time," or employ any other word or phrase or commit any act while the ball is alive and in play for the obvious purpose of trying to make the pitcher commit a balk.

"Stop all talking"? Absurd. U10s getting excited and yelling encouragement to their teammate? Let them enjoy the game.

[Mister B]

Many times it's meant to provoke the pitcher into a balk. I don't care if they cheer and yell, but it needs to be constant thru the pitch. If they stop and then start suddenly when the pitcher is in motion, I'll kill it right away. Warn and explain, then it becomes verbal interference. 

[Mudisfun]

Had a situation like this in a 10U game a week or two back. HT was cheering only, nothing directed to the other team, everything on the level. One of the coaches from the defensive team thought different and started yelling at the offensive coach how this was unsportsmanlike, bush, etc.

I called time and walked over to him and we had a friendly chat. Explained that there cheering was fine, they were not attempting to distract the pitcher (no crescendo) or acting in any unsportsmanlike manner. On the other hand, him yelling at the other team was not acceptable and could easily escalate. I took this as a learning opportunity for this coach. Explained that in the future if they have an issue, the best course of action is to ask for time and to speak to the umpire and let us handle it from there. He got lucky that the opposing team was really laid back and did not take offense to his comments; we all know how hot some youth coaches can be. Finished out chat and the game proceeded without any other issues.

 

[Dottelife]

Screaming when the pitcher is set or beating on the fence is annoying and unsportsmanlike behavior, I don’t do softball for this reason alone. If other coach complained i am going to say it was effecting his pitcher more then he was just being a jerk. Ump backed him up so he had to have a feeling it was having a negative effect also. I would suggest telling them to cheer when they actually hit the ball. 

[Velho]

3 minutes ago, Dottelife said:

beating on the fence is annoying and unsportsmanlike behavior

Agreed. Annoying as all heck. I shut down beating on the fence immediately. Never challenged - everyone is usually thankful.