Fan viewing location

Softball scholar · Jun 20, 2016

Can umpires tell spectators that they cant watch a game from a certain location in the viewing area, and that they have to move? The example this weekend, I sometimes like going behind home plate to see the perspective of the pitches. So I'm behind the fence behind home plate, watching the pitches and minding my own business. To clarify, I said nothing and was just watching. Never seen this umpire before in my life. After the 3rd pitch, ump notices me, and indicated nobody can watch behind home plate and that I had to move to the side. No big deal and I grudgingly moved. Maybe the Ump was sensitive and had issues in the past with people behind him, but do they have the prerogative to just move fans around.

Comp · Jun 20, 2016

As long as the spectators aren't in live ball territory the umpire has no authority to dictate where spectators sit.

Cobb_of_Fury · Jun 20, 2016

If the umpire feels that a fan will be a distraction they can certainly ask you to move - Though not sure if they have the power to MAKE you move - I assume they could hold up the game till you do.

GunnerShotgun · Jun 20, 2016

Agreed. I have seen umpires ask people to move that are standing directly behind them. Everyone has always complied. Typically it's someone with a pocket radar or a camera.

I never knew why they cared.

Softball scholar · Jun 20, 2016

Cobb_of_Fury said:
If the umpire feels that a fan will be a distraction they can certainly ask you to move - Though not sure if they have the power to MAKE you move - I assume they could hold up the game till you do.

I moved pretty quick as I didn't want to look like the guy who was arguing with the umpire from the stands and causing a commotion during the game. I did ask say what rule book is that in?
To be fair to say, one of our coaches did have confrontation with him over a call earlier in the game. So he probably wasn't in the best mood.

corlay · Jun 20, 2016

We've played at lots of fields where the backstop area ~15' to either side of home plate
has a dark mesh "screen" installed directly on the fence.

I get that.

I can see how some pitchers might not like to have a bunch of cackling parents setting up a "tent city"
right behind home plate.

laker · Jun 20, 2016

corlay said:
We've played at lots of fields where the backstop area ~15' to either side of home plate
has a dark mesh "screen" installed directly on the fence.

I get that.

I can see how some pitchers might not like to have a bunch of cackling parents setting up a "tent city"
right behind home plate.

Catchers also love it when the pitchers dad is right there giving her catching tips during a game.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

JAD · Jun 20, 2016

My guess is the umpire does not want anyone behind home plate second guessing his strike zone....

MTR · Jun 20, 2016

JAD said:
My guess is the umpire does not want anyone behind home plate second guessing his strike zone....
View attachment 10646

Yeah, like not being behind the plate is going to curb that

Josh Greer · Jun 21, 2016

A local ASA umpire says that a "coach" cannot be behind the backstop. And since everyone visits their DD at the dugout, he assumes everyone is a "coach". And he pulls that card anytime he wants. I mount my camera behind the backstop before the game starts and start/stop well after the inning starts or stops, or he will call dead ball and kick me out. I should note, this is local REC ball and I have never seen this anywhere else.....ever.

Fan viewing location

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