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Let me ask you a question. If the batter had stood still and not checked his swing, would there have been a question on the pitch? The correct mechanic is for the umpire to make a decision and then the correct signal for the decision. In reference to the infamous World Series call, I believe the ump had a faulty mechanic- something he himself questioned in a later interview. The strike signal should not be the same as the out signal. But whatever mechanic is used, the key here is still whether or not the plate ump thought there was a swing. If not, the pitch is a ball. If yes, the pitch is a strike. Want to avoid problems with coaches? Don't complicate things. If the ump thinks there was a swing, say "YES HE DID". If there is a question on the ball hitting the dirt, say "BALL DOWN".
Keep something else in mind. Ballplayers are also supposed to know the rules and something about how to play the game, especially at the major league level. We teach Little League batters to run and catchers to throw the ball if there any question on a dropped third strike. If the Angels catcher had simply stood up and tagged AJ, we'd have nothing to talk about.
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