https://www.tennessean.com/story/sp...in-lsu-mississippi-state-tennessee/606219002/
Article is about a year old, so take it for what it's worth.
However,
"Nongame Personnel Interference
SECTION 8. If there is interference with a live batted or thrown ball by anyone other than players, coaches or umpires, the umpire shall rule as to its being intentional or unintentional.
a. If it is intentional, the ball shall be declared dead at the moment of the interference, and the umpire shall award the offended team appropriate compensation that, in his opinion, would have resulted had interference not taken place.
1) It is intentional interference if a coach, bat person, photographer or homefield attendant fields, kicks or pushes a ball, regardless of possible motives.
2) The umpire shall declare intentional interference and award just compensation, be it an out, extra bases, etc., if a spectator intentionally reaches out of the stands or goes out onto the playing field. The ball is dead immediately.
b. If it is unintentional interference, the ball is live and in play. It is unintentional interference if a base coach, bat person, photographer, etc., tries to evade the ball and it touches the individual or if it touches such person without the person being aware the ball was coming.
c. It is not interference if, as the player is going outside the playing field during a play, a spectator interferes with a possible catch in the stands or over a fence.
Crowd Control
SECTION 9. The responsibility for crowd control rests with the director of athletics or designated representative of the host institution. The designated representative shall be prepared to use the public-address system at the first sign of unsportsmanlike crowd behavior and request cooperation in maintaining proper playing conditions. Profanity, racial comments or other intimidating actions directed at officials, student-athletes, coaches or other team representatives will not be tolerated. Individuals making such remarks may be removed from the site of competition."
http://www.ncaapublications.com/productdownloads/BA20.pdf
All that to ask, with one of the whistlers mentioned in the first article admitting his intent to distract/verbally interfere with the pitcher....would he fall under the Section 9 provisions of the NCAA rule book via the crowd control?
Article is about a year old, so take it for what it's worth.
However,
"Nongame Personnel Interference
SECTION 8. If there is interference with a live batted or thrown ball by anyone other than players, coaches or umpires, the umpire shall rule as to its being intentional or unintentional.
a. If it is intentional, the ball shall be declared dead at the moment of the interference, and the umpire shall award the offended team appropriate compensation that, in his opinion, would have resulted had interference not taken place.
1) It is intentional interference if a coach, bat person, photographer or homefield attendant fields, kicks or pushes a ball, regardless of possible motives.
2) The umpire shall declare intentional interference and award just compensation, be it an out, extra bases, etc., if a spectator intentionally reaches out of the stands or goes out onto the playing field. The ball is dead immediately.
b. If it is unintentional interference, the ball is live and in play. It is unintentional interference if a base coach, bat person, photographer, etc., tries to evade the ball and it touches the individual or if it touches such person without the person being aware the ball was coming.
c. It is not interference if, as the player is going outside the playing field during a play, a spectator interferes with a possible catch in the stands or over a fence.
Crowd Control
SECTION 9. The responsibility for crowd control rests with the director of athletics or designated representative of the host institution. The designated representative shall be prepared to use the public-address system at the first sign of unsportsmanlike crowd behavior and request cooperation in maintaining proper playing conditions. Profanity, racial comments or other intimidating actions directed at officials, student-athletes, coaches or other team representatives will not be tolerated. Individuals making such remarks may be removed from the site of competition."
http://www.ncaapublications.com/productdownloads/BA20.pdf
All that to ask, with one of the whistlers mentioned in the first article admitting his intent to distract/verbally interfere with the pitcher....would he fall under the Section 9 provisions of the NCAA rule book via the crowd control?
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