Final answer:
The correct word to fill in the blank is 'Disparaging,' as it refers to expressing that something is of little worth, fitting the context of how fans' negative remarks should not affect a good umpire's decisions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer to the question "_____ shouts and boos from the stands will have no effect on a good umpire's decisions" would be 'a) Disparaging.' This means expressing the opinion that something is of little worth. An umpire is a sports official who makes decisions on the field, and if they are good at their job, disparaging remarks won't affect their judgment. Option 'b' Derogatory also could fit in a broad sense, as it means showing a critical or disrespectful attitude. Option 'c' Hostile is more about outright aggression, which might be part of the atmosphere but doesn't specifically address the verbal actions of shouting and booing. Option 'd' Adversarial suggests ongoing opposition, which isn't directly related to the action of boos affecting the umpire's decisions.