[bsaucer]

When an umpire calls a ball, does he ever say what kind of ball it is (outside, high, etc.)? That seems like that is "helping" the pitcher or even the batter.

I remember when I played in a softball game as a kid, the umpire would say "Strike!" before the ball would reach the plate. I think he was "helping" the batter know when to swing. I was distracted by his call, so I didn't swing.

I remember the scenes in "Naked Gun" when Leslie called the third strike too soon, and later, during the seventh inning, would signal "balls" with his left hand. Did umpires ever "hand-signal" balls in the past?