Which coach can ask question to an ump?

[wadeintothem]

Gimmep and topper you are missing the point, we are asking not about high school (Do they really PLAY high school SOFTBALL) but real softball, travel ball. Where does it say an umpire can throw out a spectator in the ASA Rule Book.

I think its already been mentioned, even if you chose not to pay attention, that ASA Rules are for CHAMPIONSHIP play and by ASA code, TD's are responsible for the spectators. Other than that, there are many different things/situations/game types/tournament types with various rules or situations that can happen - and that may affect how the umpire needs to go about handling it, up to and including simply discontinuing the contest. Since simply walking off the field is not the most diserable result, IMO, am umpire utilizing a method to solve the problem, when other methods are not availalble, that allows the game to continue is all the better for the girls... unless of course you believe the game is about something else.

ASA code is completely downloadable.. stop asking and read it. TD's responsible in Championship Play.

[instiga8tor]

In other words, it isn't in the rules, and all powers not stated are reserved for the umpires to do what they want.

[Patrick]

Exactly!!! Now you've got it.

[SoCalASABlue]

I'm amazed it only took 7 pages to get the answer

[GIMNEPIWO]

And then what do we talk about ?

[MTR]

The coach can handle the spectators. If they elect to ignore my direction to handle the spectator(s), they can leave and I'll talk to the assistant and work my way down the line until someone finally realizes we aren't continuing until it is handled.

Why would it fall on a coach to handle someone who heppens to be sitting in their stands? What if the problem party is not associated with their team? Other than citing Rule 10, which would work for me BTW, where does the rules book support requiring a coach to police the stands?

You can cite Rule 10 (ASA) all they want, it does not apply.

I'm not likely to stop a game because of a spectator. If there is an issue, it is going to come from the team since those are the only folks with whom I am concerned. Any issues with fans should be directed toward a site admin, coordinator, director, whatever.

However, if those folks are not available and a team complains about the actions of a spectator, if I agree I will stop the game until the coaches (okay, so I didn't specify plural earlier) handle the spectator.

The reason the coach would get ejected is because I'm pretty confident that if they don't want to help with the situation, s/he is going to make some smartass comment that will do nothing, but prolong the game and apparent issue. Of course, I could just stand there with the coaches and parents screaming and players crying, but I'm not getting paid by the hour and to put other games behind schedule because you have some ass in the stands that thinks acting like an ass is cool.

[MTR]

The ASA rule book has an entry in the index that says, Spectators, Abusive Language but gives no rules citation. Right under it is attacking an umpire which is 5-4-A, and it specifically states if a spectator attacks an umpire the team forfeits the game.

4-7-A says a coach is responsible for the teams actions on the field, but, there is no definition of what constitutes the "field" in the book. Fair territory is defined, but not if the spectators areas are considered to be part of the field.

You are reading too much into the rules. The Abusive Language refers to the coaches/players using it toward others including spectators.

The coach is responsible for his team members on the field. That is the area within the fences where the game is played.

[topper]

Do you really go to a HS game and meet with the on site administrator before a game ?

Yes

I not calling BS on that...

It wouldn't matter if you did.

[Steve M]

Do you really go to a HS game and meet with the on site administrator before a game ?

Yes

I not calling BS on that...

It wouldn't matter if you did.

While I suspect it is like this in many areas, I can only speak with knowledge about the area of north central Pa that I do hs ball in. Most of the time during regular season, the only administrator we see is the head coach. On those unusual occassiones where we do see an AD, the A drops off the checks and leaves, never to be seen again. During the post season, there is always an administrator.

[GIMNEPIWO]

Do you really go to a HS game and meet with the on site administrator before a game ?

Yes

I not calling BS on that...

It wouldn't matter if you did.

While I suspect it is like this in many areas, I can only speak with knowledge about the area of north central Pa that I do hs ball in. Most of the time during regular season, the only administrator we see is the head coach. On those unusual occassiones where we do see an AD, the A drops off the checks and leaves, never to be seen again. During the post season, there is always an administrator.

At the majority of HS games here in VA ... there would be an on-site administrator ( AD ) somewhere ... but on a typical day ( here in VA ) there would be baseball, soccer, track and who knows what else going on ... so, when I get to the field and perform other pre game duties, looking for the administrator ( who is jumping around from venue to venue or sitting on their butt somewhere ), in case a situation arises where I would need them, is not something I do ... especially since it is not in our SOP ... But if one has the opportunity to do so, I suppose it is a ducky idea ...