Verbal Interference by defensive player in slow pitch softball

Question
The pitcher pitches the ball. Before the batter swings at the pitch, the catcher hollers "right", "left" or "pull" causing verbal interference to the batter. The catcher says he is only hollering to the infield where the hitter is trying to hit or that he is a pull hitter. The batters and managers say this is not allowed and is verbal interference.

How would you rule it? Is it allowed? if not, where in the ASA rules is that covered? I looked for unsportsmanlike conduct rules and could not find anything. The interference rules only talks about offensive players interference.

Thank you.

Answer
Hi Stephen,

Offensive players interfere. defensive players obstruct, in softball the terms are not interchangeable.

I think different umpires might handle this differently.

You asked how I would handle it.  If the ball is nearing or over the plate and the catcher yells loud enough to distract or bother the batter, we are going to have a little chat, and I am going to tell him that I'm not going to allow that (doesn't matter the reason why he is doing that)

If it happens again, I'm going to call the manager over, along with the catcher and tell them if it happens again they're going to need a new catcher.  That should handle the problem.  

I could go into unsportsmanlike conduct, catcher obstruction (which I could probably use if I really wanted to go that way) etc. but what it boils down to is the home plate umpire needs to control the game and make it fair to both sides.  I'll use whatever power I need to make that happen.

The catcher can talk but the batter needs a fair opportunity to hit the ball, a strong, experienced umpire is going to take care of this.

Mark