[ump3]

I think what you saw was not an appeal or check swing, not the umpire pointing the runner to the direction that he should run, but I believe that he was indicating a swinging strike. I've noticed especially Doug Eddings doing this. He does it for third strike, balls just in the dirt, but that don't get away from the catcher. I guess this mechanic is being substituted for the "safe" signal used when a ball is not caught.