Fan involvement

Question
This happened at a high school varsity game.  The home team is at bat with a runner on first base.  As the visiting pitcher pitches the ball the runner on first base start to steal second.  A fan from the visiting team yells "He's going".  The cathcer throws to second and the runner wa out.  After the play, the upire turns to the fan in the stands and scolds him for yelling that the runner was going.  He tells the fan that he is not allowed to do that.  First of all, I have never heard of such a ruling and second of all, what is the difference from a fran and a player yelling "he's goin"?  Please help me.

Answer
John,

you're right.  Its hard to believe a fan can cause so much trouble.  

The only reason an ump can address the fans is in acts that interfere with any team's ability to play safely.

Spectators that deliberately try to distract the pitcher or batter, for example, can be ejected from the park by the umpire.  The umpire's main purpose is to apply the rules and ensure a timely and safe game for the players.

As for yelling 'he's going' this could be interpreted as fan interference of a pitcher's play (I'm really stretching it here...) and the umpire could stop the play and address the visiting team bench. Most umps would ignore this behaviour UNLESS there are other circumstances (like uncontrolled behaviour behind the umpire).  

I do find it very hard to believe that a single fan could be so loud but then again...we have some large mouths around here too!

So, the only ruling I am aware of is that no fan or player can interfere with the pitcher (no excessive yells, slurs or abusive racial remarks) that may cause him to injure the batter or himself.  It is up to the umpire to decide what is 'interference'.

If, in your case, the an excited fan yells out and it is the only incident throughout the game, the umpire might have been flexing his authority a bit too much.  Its really a judgement call made by the ump...and we know what those are like!!!

Regards,

JohnMc