1) Depends on what you mean by routine. If we're talking first base for example, if runner's out by a step or more, I'm not making any verbal call, just signaling. If it's close but not a banger, I'm signaling at same time I vocalize. That's the way it's reccomended and that's the way I'm used to.
2) I do. Hands behind thighs, elbows tucked as close to the body as possible. I've had 3 shots taken off of the same wrist, the first one broke it and the other two hurt for quite some time (all foul balls [edited to appease streamdoc
], wasn't horrible catching). I'm sick of getting my wrists beat up so I moved them. In all honesty, to me it feels more comftorbale there than when I had them out in front of me. Also, helps me keep my back a little more straight up and down, less tendency to bend over.
JMO.
-Josh
[Edited by U_of_I_Blue on Jul 25th, 2005 at 04:20 PM]