Near home plate, discouraging words.

Byline: THOMAS BECNEL

This year, with the Bradenton Marauders off to a winning start, Faanes razzes less and cheers more.

He still gets off the occasional zinger.

"Use your good eye, ump!"

"C'mon, ump -- I thought only horses slept standing up."

Also -- this one is a favorite -- "Hey, ump, I'm gonna break your cane and let your dog run loose!"

Faanes, 58, is a retired wildlife biologist from Wisconsin. In high school, he played catcher, which is where he learned how to rattle opposing batters.

"I once had a kid, I got on his case really bad," he says, laughing. "I made a comment about his sister -- and he had a sister …